WASHINGTON, May 27 (UPI) -- U.S. President Barack Obama, condemning Myanmar opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi's house arrest, called for her immediate and unconditional release.
"I call on the Burmese government to release National League for Democracy Secretary-General and Nobel Peace Prize winner Aung San Suu Kyi from detention immediately and unconditionally," the president said in a statement released by the White House Tuesday.
Burma is the former name of Myanmar. Suu Kyi is on trial on subversion charges arising from an incident this month in which an American was accused of swimming across a lake to her house and staying there for at least one night. She has been held under house arrest in 13 of the past 19 years by Myanmar's military junta.
Obama said Suu Kyi's "continued detention, isolation and show trial based on spurious charges" cast serious doubt on the regime's willingness to be a "responsible member of the international community."
He said Suu Kyi, through her action, has represented profound patriotism, sacrifice, and the vision of a democratic and prosperous Burma. He said it is time for the government to drop all charges against her and unconditionally release her and her fellow political prisoners.
