Suu Kyi trial delayed

YANGON, Myanmar, July 3 (UPI) -- Myanmar's military-led regime Friday put off the trial of pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi without giving any reason, her spokesman said.

The trial was to have resumed as U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon arrived in what was formerly known as Burma to seek the release of political prisoners including the 64-year-old Suu Kyi, who has been under house arrest for 13 of the past 19 years.

The trial delay is the latest in a series of such postponements, CNN reported.

Ban was to meet with four members of Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy party, but whether that would include her was not clear, the report said.

"The secretary-general believes that the sooner these issues are addressed, the earlier Myanmar will be able to move towards peace, democracy and prosperity," Ban spokeswoman Michele Montas said prior to the U.N. leader's departure.

The trial of Suu Kyi is seen by critics of the military junta as an excuse to prolong her detention and prevent her from participating in elections set for next year.

In the current trial, she is accused of subversion and violating her house detention rules. If convicted, she could face up to five years in prison, CNN said.