Pro-democracy supporters of Aung San Suu Kyi await her release for second day

The BBC reports on the hundreds of supporters gathered outside the home of Burmese pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi, for the second day, ahead of her expected release. (See also the WVoN report of her expected release yesterday.)

Her latest term of house arrest expires today, and as yet she has not been released, but her lawyer Nyan Win said he hoped she would be released later.

Ms Suu Kyi has spent 15 of the past 21 years in detention and, according to reports may not accept a conditional release “if it excludes her from political activity.”

The BBC, although banned from reporting inside Burma, claims that “trucks full of riot police have been seen in the country’s main city” following around 2,000 supporters gathering at Suu Kyi’s house, as well as the headquarters for the National League for Democracy on Friday.

Although Burma’s ruling generals have yet to officially comment on the release of Suu Kyi, the reports that this may well be sanctioned follows the country’s first elections in 2o years on Sunday.

The junta have said the election marks the transition from military to civilian rule, but Western governments and human rights groups have branded the election as “neither free nor fair.”

Aung San Suu Kyi is a rallying figure for Burmese pro-democracy supporters and it is felt that her release would have a “significant impact.”