Hundreds gather in hope for Suu
An ally of pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi said an order for her release has been signed by Burma’s ruling generals as hundreds of supporters gathered on Friday at her political party headquarters and near her residence in anticipation. Ms Suu Kyi’s house arrest officially ends on Saturday, but rumours swept Rangoon that
she might be freed as early as Friday. Riot police with assault rifles were seen near Ms Suu Kyi’s house as about 200 supporters gathered at a nearby barbed-wire barricade. Jailed or under house arrest for more than 15 of the last 21 years, the Nobel Peace Prize laureate has become a symbol for a struggle to rid the Southeast Asian country of decades of military rule.
“My sources tell me that the release order has been signed,” said vice-chairman of Ms Suu Kyi’s party, Tin Oo. “I hope she will be released.” He did not say when she would be freed or when the order had been signed. About 300 people gathered excitedly at the headquarters of the National League for Democracy, some wearing T-shirts reading, “We stand with you.” “There is no law to hold (Suu Kyi) for another day. Her detention period expires on Saturday and she will be released,” her lawyer, Nyan Win, said.
The country held its first elections in two decades on November 7 in what the junta called a major step toward democracy, but Ms Suu Kyi was barred from participating and critics called the balloting a sham. —AP
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