Myanmar military charges Aung San Suu Kyi

Myanmar's military government has charged Aung San Suu Kyi, the country's opposition leader, with violating the terms of her house arrest after an American allegedly sneaked into her home, her lawyer says. Kyi Win, the lawyer, said the Nobel Peace laureate's trial would start on May 18, adding that she could be jailed for up to five years.

Critics have denounced the trial at Insein prison in Yangon, the former capital, where Aung San Suu Kyi and two women who live with her were taken by police on Thursday. The say such a trial could be used to justify another extension of her home detention which officially expires on May 27.

Myanmar's state-run newspapers reported last week that Yettaw, 53, swam on the night of May 3 to her lakeside home, "secretly entered the house and stayed there" for two nights.

He then swam away on the night of May 5 before being arrested the next morning. Myanmar official sources said the man had succeeded in meeting Aung San Suu Kyi during his time at the house.His motives remain unclear, but Kyi Win said Yettaw tried to meet Aung San Suu Kyi last year, but was told to leave and the incident was reported to the authorities. The opposition leader again told him to leave, but this time he refused, Kyi Win said. "He said he was so tired and wanted to rest, but she pleaded with him. Then he slept overnight on the ground floor," Kyi Win told the Democratic Voice of Burma (DVB) after he was allowed to meet Aung San Suu Kyi on Wednesday.

Myanmar citizens are required by law to notify local officials about any overnight visitors who are not family members. The law also states that foreigners are not allowed to spend the night at a local's home.

Aung San Suu Kyi has of late been ill, suffering from dehydration and low blood pressure. Her lawyer, Kyi Win, said her health was improving after she was treated by a doctor last week. "She looks okay. She has a very strong spirit," Kyi Win told the Reuters news agency.

According to the US Campaign for Burma, a US-based lobby group opposed to military rule in Myanmar, Aung San Suu Kyi, her two helpers, her personal doctor Tin Myo Win, and Yettaw would all be tried together.

The two helpers, Khin Khin Win, 65, and her daughter Win Ma Ma, 41, have lived with Aung San Suu Kyi since the start of her latest detention in 2003. Tin Myo Win was arrested without explanation last week.

Al Jazeera