JURIST - Paper Chase: Suu Kyi prosecution delivers closing arguments in Myanmar trial

[JURIST] Myanmar prosecutors on Monday delivered final arguments in the trial against opposition pro-democracy advocate Aung San Suu Kyi [BBC profile; JURIST news archive], after being granted additional time to prepare. The Nobel Laureate and National League of Democracy (NLD) [party website] leader faces charges of violating her house arrest for allowing an American to stay after he swam across a lake to visit her. Suu Kyi's lawyer U Nyan Win plans to respond [NYT report] to the prosecution's arguments on Tuesday. No date has been set for the verdict. Also on Monday, Amnesty International [advocacy website] announced Suu Kyi as the 2009 recipient [press release] of their "Ambassador of Conscience" award, marking the 20-year anniversary of her arrest for alleged violations of an anti-subversion law [text]. The award recognizes "exceptional leadership and witness" in the protection and promotion of human rights.

Suu Kyi's trial has elicited condemnation and criticism [JURIST report] from the international community. Following a delay in the proceedings, the trial resumed earlier this month with the testimony of an NLD party member who claimed that the charges were politically motivated. Myanmar officials say they plans to release political prisoners [JURIST report] to allow them to participate in the 2010 general elections although it remains unclear whether Suu Kyi will be among those released.

7/28/09: The verdict is scheduled to be delivered Friday.