Jan 28, 2009 (DVB), The lawyer for detained democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi has been summoned to the attorney-general's office in Naypyidaw, but refused the invitation on the instructions of his client.

Kyi Win was informed by the police special branch commander's office on 24 January that he had been summoned to the new capital for a meeting on 27 January to discuss Aung San Suu Kyi's appeal against her house arrest.

Having made a prior agreement with Aung San Suu Kyi not to go to Naypyidaw without her consent, Kyi Win sent his assistant lawyer Hla Myo Myint in his place.

"Our decision was for Ko Hla Myo to go and so he made all the arrangements for the trip," Kyi Win said.

"I also wrote a letter to the SB and the attorney-general's office setting out the problems Ko Hla Myo could face when he gets there and I even made some notes for him," he said.

"Just as he was about to catch the train [on 26 January] he was told by some people , I can’t remember who they are exactly but they are SB agents , not to proceed and he had to cancel the trip."

Kyi Win was summoned by special branch at around noon that day and informed that Hla Myo Myint had been barred from going to Naypyidaw because he was not accompanied by Kyi Win.

Kyi Win has now demanded that the authorities allow him to see Aung San Suu Kyi before he goes to Naypyidaw.

This is the first time Kyi Win has been summoned to the new capital since Aung San Suu Kyi's appeal was lodged on 9 October last year.

Aung San Suu Kyi has been under house arrest under the 1975 State Protection Act since the Depayin attack in May 2003.

Despite the five-year limit set out by the law for holding people without charge or trial, her detention was extended by another year in May 2008.

Reporting by Khin Hnin Htet