Myanmar opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi is to face trial for violating the rules of her house arrest after an American man entered her home last week. She was taken to a prison in Rangoon on Thursday to hear the charges.
Surprise
Mr Yeattaw's action surprised many, as the house and its surroundings are closely guarded by state police. Radio Netherlands' correspondent Minka Nijhuis says there are rumours that police actually allowed him to enter the house:
"All kinds of conspiracy theories are already doing the rounds in Burma. Of course it's possible that [Mr Yeattaw] managed to enter the house unnoticed, but even so, this visit has been quite convenient for the junta. They might as well have seen him swim across the lake, but let him go so they could accuse her of inviting guests in her home. Under the Draconian laws of the junta, this could get her five years".
Ms Suu Kyi has spent many years under house arrest since her pro-democracy party won elections in 1990. The ruling military junta has never allowed the party to take power. In the meantime, she has become a symbol of non-violent protest against dictatorial rule, winning the Nobel Peace Prize and the support of famous film and rock stars. U2's Bono dedicated his song ‘Walk on' to Ms Suu Kyi.
Silence
Despite this support, Ms Suu Kyi has remained under house arrest for most of the past 19 years. Her current term was to end on 27 May, so Thursday's arrest is seen as the Myanmar junta's way to silence her once again, says Thailand-based Burmese journalist Kyaw Zwa Moe:
"She has been detained for fifteen years and according to the law, she now has to be released. But she has been a troublemaker for the generals and a threat to the 2010 general elections. That's why they keep her detained. If she was released, she could return to political activism".
Ms Suu Kyi's health has deteriorated after years of living in isolation. Last week, she lost access to medical help after her doctor was arrested. She suffers from dehydration and low blood pressure and her supporters are concerned for her health.
Open up?
The latest action by the Myanmar government has dashed any hopes the regime would be opening up after last year's cyclone, when help from the outside world was allowed into the country. Mr Kyaw Zwa doesn't see any improvements:
"Humanitarian organisations have been saying that, but according to the Burmese people and the local non-governmental organisations, they don't see that kind of space inside the country at all".
Tags: Aung San Suu Kyi, Burma, house arrest, Myanmar