The trial of Myanmar pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi entered its final stage Friday in Rangoon. Her lawyers delivered closing arguments to the court.

The Nobel Peace laureate (64) has been charged with breaching the terms of her house arrest over a bizarre incident in which an American man swam uninvited to her lakeside home.
 

If convicted she faces up to five years in jail.
 

The trial resumed following weeks of delays and fierce international condemnation. Critics say the ruling junta uses the charges as an excuse to keep Suu Kyi in custody until after next year’s elections. Suu Kyi’s National League for Democracy won the last elections in 1988, but she never got the chance to take power.
 

One of Suu Kyi’s lawyers and a spokesman for her National League for Democracy, Nyan Win, said the defence team would resume its closing arguments on Monday. Myanmar officials said the prosecution may also give its final statements that same day.

It is still unclear when a verdict will be reached. The case began in May.
 

Diplomats from the embassies of Britain, France, Germany, Italy and Norway were reportedly permitted to attend the hearing. Most of the trial at the feared Insein prison has been held behind closed doors.
 

According to Suu Kyi’s lawyers the law she has been charged under is part of a constitution that was abolished 25 years ago. They further say she cannot be responsible for the swimming incident because she was living under a strictly guarded house arrest at the time.
 

Only two witnesses have been allowed to testify for the defence, compared to twenty-three witnesses for the prosecution. So far, 14 prosecution witnesses have been heard.
 

BBC South East Asia correspondent Jonathan Head said the fact that defence witnesses and foreign observers were allowed is a sign that the government is finally aware of the international outrage over the bizarre charges of Suu Kyi’s trial.
 

But he told the BBC it is still almost certain that she will be found guilty. Head added that Burma’s junta regards her popularity as a threat and wants to prevent her from playing any role in next year’s elections.
 

The ruling Burmese generals did not allow UN Secretary Ban Ki-moon to meet with Suu Kyi earlier this month.
 

US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said this week that if Burma wants improved ties with Washington, Suu Kyi’s release is a key factor. Burmese state media reacted by dismissing her statement as “interference”.
 

Sources: AFP, BBC