Supreme Court allows Suu Kyi appeal

YANGON, Myanmar, Dec. 4 (UPI) -- The Myanmar Supreme Court has agreed to consider dissident leader Aung San Suu Kyi's appeal of her additional 18 months of house arrest, her lawyer said Friday.

U Kyi Win told The New York Times the country's highest court has scheduled a preliminary hearing Dec. 21. That hearing is procedural, allowing Suu Kyi's lawyers to argue for a full hearing, Win said.

Suu Kyi has been confined to her home in Myanmar, the country formerly known as Burma, for 14 of the past 20 years. A court added 18 months for allowing a U.S. supporter to enter her home and remain there for two days after he swam across a lake to reach her.

In recent months, Suu Kyi has been allowed to meet some visitors to Myanmar, including U.S. diplomats. She sent a letter last month to Gen. Thang Shwe, leader of the military government, asking for a meeting with him.