February 21, 2003—Burmese democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi may soon find herself under detention again after refusing to pay a fine handed down by a Burmese court today, according to sources in Rangoon. The court offered her the choice between a week in jail or a 500 kyat fine (US $.50).

The ruling stems from an incident last May when Suu Kyi’s cousin, Soe Aung, punched her at her lakeside compound, where he was also living, but in a separate house. Suu Kyi and Soe Aung both filed charges over the incident. Soe Aung filed charges against Suu Kyi for illegally kicking him out of the compound.

The court did not rule on whether Suu Kyi would have to go to jail or not after refusing to pay the fine. Suu Kyi and National League for Democracy (NLD) Chairman U Tin Oo left the courthouse today a little before 4 PM.

"The court decided she [Aung San Suu Kyi] has to pay 500 kyat as a fine for getting her cousin Soe Aung out of her compound," said U Lwin. "If not, she will be sent to jail for seven days."

NLD spokesperson U Lwin said Suu Kyi had refused to pay the fine as she maintains her innocence in the case. "Aung San Suu Kyi said that she would go to jail, instead of paying the fine, since she didn’t do anything wrong," U Lwin said today from Rangoon.

Analysts in Rangoon said today’s decision is nothing more than an attempted smear campaign by the regime, saying it was only now that the court decided to hear the case despite charges being filed some time ago.

The NLD held a press conference this afternoon, and said more details about the situation would be released later today. Soe Aung was also ordered to pay 1,000 kyat, or he faces a month in prison.