U.N. special envoy Razali Ismail says Burmese democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi is being held by the government under a 1975 law used to detain political prisoners.
Mr. Razali was quoted in Asian media Tuesday as saying Aung San Suu Kyi is being held under Section 10a of Burma's State Protection Act. The law allows the government to detain prisoners indefinitely without trial.
The pro-democracy leader was placed under house arrest on May 30th after violent clashes between pro-democracy activists and government supporters. The military government says it is holding the Nobel laureate for her own protection.
Also Tuesday, Australian Foreign Minister Alexander Downer told reporters he plans to meet with Burma's foreign minister on the sidelines of a regional Asian security forum in Phnom Penh on Thursday. He said he plans to press for Aung San Suu Kyi's release.