Burma treason trial announced

Ne Win ruled for more than a quarter of a century

By Larry Jagan BBC regional analyst in Bangkok

Four relatives of Burma's former military dictator, General Ne Win, are to be put on trial in the near future.

The "coup" overshadowed talks with Aung San Suu Kyi

The general's son-in-law, Aye Zaw Win, and his three grandsons were arrested more than three weeks ago and accused of plotting to overthrow the current military government.

The deputy intelligence chief, Major General Kyaw Win, told journalists in Rangoon that the four would be tried for high treason in an open trial.

More than 200 soldiers, police and civilians have already been questioned, Kyaw Win said.

Thin evidence

But observers still remain sceptical that Ne Win's family members were really plotting a coup, and suspect that the allegations have more to do with internal conflicts within the military leadership.

If found guilty they could face the death penalty. The last official execution for treason took place more than 25 years ago, when the ringleaders of an alleged coup plot against General Ne Win were hanged.

The timing of the trial, Kyaw Win said, depended on the ongoing investigations.

Some diplomats believe this is only likely to happen after Ne Win's death.

The former dictator is over 90-year-old and reported to be very frail.

But General Kyaw Win said Ne Win was still in good health although he was receiving medical attention.

Ne Win and his daughter Sandar Win have been under house arrest since the rest of the family were detained.

The military government has hinted that they believe Sandar Win is actually implicated in the plot, and that she is also likely to face trial in due course.

Aye Zaw Win and his three sons are accused of trying to recruit soldiers to kidnap the country's top three generals and introduce a permanent monarchy.

UN warning

While the evidence of a real coup plot seems thin, the country's top three generals seem to be using the allegations to try to root out officers they believe are guilty of excessive corruption.

But the coup plot also seems to have overshadowed the secret talks the generals are having with the opposition leader, Aung San Suu Kyi - they have already postponed a visit by the UN envoy, Razali Ismail, because of it.

He has also warned the generals that the dialogue process is too important to allow the coup to derail it.

Ne Win seized power in 1962 and he was at the forefront of Burma's struggle for independence from Britain.

He stepped down in 1988 in the face of pro-democracy demonstrations that were violently quashed by the military.