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Myanmar sentences democracy leader Suu Kyi to more house arrest
The ruling -- which also convicted the American, John Yettaw, and sentenced him to seven years - drew immediate criticism from world leaders, with British Prime Minister Gordon Brown calling it “monstrous.” French President Nicolas Sarkozy urged the European Union to adopt new sanctions, calling the verdict “brutal and unjust.”
But the term was less severe than the maximum sentence she faced -- five years in prison -- and shorter than the one the court initially ordered on Tuesday -- three years with hard labor.
Five minutes after that sentence was read out, Home Minister Maj. Gen. Maung Oo entered the courtroom and read aloud a special order from junta chief Senior Gen. Than Shwe, cutting the sentence in half and saying it could be served at home.
Than Shwe's order, signed Monday, likewise reduced the sentences of Suu Kyi's two female house companions, Khin Khin Win and Win Ma Ma, to 18 months. Both are members of her political party.
The junta leader said he commuted the sentences to “maintain community peace and stability” and because Suu Kyi was the daughter of Aung San, a revered hero who won Myanmar's independence from Britain.
It seemed likely it was in response to intense international pressure, including a call for Suu Kyi's release from the United Nations that was backed by China, Myanmar's key ally and benefactor.
South Africa's Archbishop Desmond Tutu warned, however, that the reduced sentence was “not a concession -- it is a manipulation of an illegal process. It must not be accepted by any government.”
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