Aung San Suu Kyi NLD Supporters Arrested in Burma

Aung San Suu Kyi Supporters Arrested in Burma

Security forces in Burma arrested more than a dozen members of democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi's political party Tuesday.

Witnesses say riot police shoved at least 15 members of the National League for Democracy party into a truck when they attempted to march to the Nobel peace laureate's home in Rangoon, where she has been held prisoner for the past five years.

The march began as the NLD held a ceremony to mark the anniversary of its victory in 1990 elections, which the ruling generals ignored.

Earlier in the day, police were seen increasing security around the party's headquarters and Aung San Suu Kyi's home.

Her latest house arrest is due to expire at midnight, but observers expect the government to extend her detention another year.

The 62-year-old opposition leader has been held in her home for more than 12 of the last 18 years.

The military government said Monday that voters had overwhelmingly approved a new constitution for the country.

After a devastating cyclone hit Burma, the government split the referendum into two sessions, with voting going ahead as scheduled in unaffected parts of the country and voters in cyclone-hit areas going to the polls Saturday.

The government says approval of the constitution will lead to general elections in 2010. Opposition and human rights groups say it will only strengthen the military's control.

ENDS

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