Lawyer: Trial of Myanmar’s Suu Kyi likely to wrap up with defense giving final statement

Aung San Suu Kyi trial enters final day in Myanmar

YANGON, Myanmar — The trial of Myanmar’s democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi was expected to conclude Tuesday with the defense given the final statement in a trial that has drawn international condemnation, her lawyer said.

The Nobel Peace Prize laureate stands accused of violating terms of her house arrest by feeding and providing shelter to an American intruder — John William Yettaw — who swam to her lakeside home uninvited and stayed for two days.

Suu Kyi is widely expected to be convicted and faces a possible five years in prison, although there has been speculation she may stay under house arrest rather than serve time in jail.

But defense lawyer Nyan Win said before the start of Tuesday’s session that he held out hope for a court verdict in Suu Kyi’s favor. “We are confident that we will win the case if things go according to the law,” he said.

Suu Kyi and three other defendants will reply to arguments presented Monday by prosecutor Myint Kyaing, the lawyer said.

Diplomats from Japan, Singapore, Thailand and the United States were allowed to attend the trial Tuesday, one of the diplomats said, citing embassy protocol for speaking on condition of anonymity.

Suu Kyi won London-based Amnesty International’s highest award Monday for her defense of human rights, underscoring international support for her struggle to bring democracy to the military-ruled country.

But neither international outrage, nor offers of closer ties with the U.S. if Suu Kyi is freed, appear to have deflected the ruling junta’s determination to neutralize — if not imprison — the 64-year-old.

Associated Press writer Shawn Pogatchnik in Dublin contributed to this report.