EU to stiffen Myanmar sanctions over "unjustified" Suu Kyi verdict

EU to stiffen Myanmar sanctions over "unjustified" Suu Kyi verdict Brussels  - The European Union said Tuesday it would stiffen its sanctions against the Myanmar regime following the "unjustified" sentencing of pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi.

"The European Union condemns the verdict against Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, leader of the National League for Democracy and Nobel Peace Prize Laureate, and the unjustified trial against her," the EU's Swedish presidency said in a statement issued on behalf of the bloc's 27 member states.

"The EU will respond with additional targeted measures against those responsible for the verdict. In addition, the EU will further reinforce its restrictive measures targeting the regime of Burma/Myanmar, including its economic interests," the statement said.

The EU's current sanctions, which were recently extended until April 2010, target some 500 regime figures and their families, as well as some 80 businesses linked to the regime.

While strongly condemning Suu Kyi's "show trial," EU foreign ministers in May stopped short of bringing more sanctions, instead calling for more cooperation with regional powers such as China and India.

Tuesday's statement from the Swedish government, however, suggested the bloc was now ready to stiffen its stance.

In London, Ivan Lewis, a Foreign Office minister for the region, said Britain would be urging further EU sanctions against Myanmar.

The issue would likely be discussed at an informal meeting of EU foreign ministers scheduled for the first week of September in Stockholm.

Suu Kyi, 64, was found guilty of breaking the terms of her detention by allowing a US national to swim into her lakeside compound-cum-prison on May 3.

The 18-month sentence means the opposition leader will still be under house arrest when Myanmar's general election is due to take place next spring.

In its statement, the Swedish presidency called for Suu Kyi's immediate and unconditional release, saying the judicial proceedings brought against her breached both national and international law. (dpa)