New Defence Witnesses to Appear in Suu Kyi Trial

New Defence Witnesses to Appear in Suu Kyi Trial

Press Release : Terry Evans

18 June 2009

Burma’s High Court granted a request yesterday allowing two more defence witnesses to testify before the special court trying Aung San Suu Kyi in Rangoon's Insein Prison.

The two witnesses, Tin Oo and Win Tin, will give evidence on Friday. Suu Kyi's lawyers succeeded in an appeal to Burma’s highest court to overturn the special court’s refusal to hear testimony from them.

Tin Oo, who is currently under house arrest, is the former commander in chief of the armed forces of Burma, and is a highly decorated soldier. He is now a pro-democracy activist and deputy leader of Burma's main opposition party, the National League for Democracy (NLD). Win Tin is a highly respected writer, and was Burma’s longest-serving political prisoner until his release last year.

Defence evidence had been limited so far to one legal expert, Kyi Win. Khin Moe Moe, a legal expert from Shan State, is still waiting to appear before the court.

If convicted, Aung San Suu Kyi could face a prison sentence of five years, which would prevent her from taking part in the scheduled 2010 elections.

ENDS

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