Brother-in-law offers flowers at Suu Kyi demo in London

Brother-in-law offers flowers at Suu Kyi demo in London
2 hours ago

LONDON (AFP) — Myanmar democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi's brother-in-law offered a symbolic gift of flowers for her Friday, at a protest marking her 64th birthday at the country's embassy in London.

Anthony Aris, brother of Suu Kyi's late husband Michael who died in 1999, said he wanted the embassy to send the bougainvillea to his imprisoned sister-in-law.

"This is her favourite flower," he told reporters, as between 300 and 400 demonstrators gathered outside the central London diplomatic mission.

"She normally wears it in her hair. I will not do that. But I will present them to the embassy, and ask them to air freight them to her in prison," he said before trying to leave the blooms.

When staff refused to answer the door, he tucked them behind the building's name plaque.

Speaking to AFP he cast doubt on the incident which triggered the current legal action against Suu Kyi.

"The incident with the man who swam across the lake appears to be a setup. After all, the poor misguided chap was an overweight American," he said, referring to John William Yettaw.

"I am anxious. The family does not normally speak to the media, but these are exceptional circumstances," he said.

Armed police guarded the front of the embassy, while demonstrators had tied yellow ribbons and attached photos of Suu Kyi to the railings at the front of the building.
Some held banners saying "Silence is acceptance. Shout loudly."

Protestor Te Te, a 40-year-old student from Myanmar who has lived in London for six years, said: "We are here to celebrate Suu Kyi's birthday.

"I am afraid she might die in prison without seeing freedom. We need to put pressure on the British government and other democratic countries so that they can help to release her."

The Myanmar military regime has kept the Nobel Laureate in detention for 13 of the past 19 years, and she is now on trial at Yangon's notorious Insein Prison over a bizarre incident in which Yettaw swam to her home.