EU widens sanctions against Burma !

Supporters of Aung San Suu Kyi were angered by the court's verdict

The European Union has extended sanctions against Burma's military regime to members of the judiciary.

The additional sanctions were imposed after the decision two days ago to confine pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi to 18 months of house arrest.

She was found guilty of breaking the terms of her previous house arrest.

Judiciary members responsible for the verdict join military and government figures in having their overseas assets frozen and travel to the EU banned.

The European Council said it was extending sanctions "in reaction to the verdict against... Aung San Suu Kyi and given the gravity of the violation of her fundamental rights".

All 27 EU member states approved the move, which comes after governments around the world condemned the new conviction.

Many nations, as well as international bodies such as the EU and the United Nations, called for the immediate release of the 64-year-old pro-democracy leader - who has spent 14 of the past 20 years under house arrest.

The US, Britain and France were among those to condemn the verdict, but Burma's neighbour China said the world should respect Burma's laws.

Thai PM on relations with Burma

Meanwhile, Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva, who is the current chairman of the Association of South East Asian Nations (Asean) told the BBC that imposing sanctions could lead to problems and that it was important to take a balanced approach to dealing with Burma.

Critics of Burma's military regime say the verdict is designed to prevent Ms Suu Kyi from taking part in elections scheduled for 2010.

The latest sanctions widen restrictions imposed on military and government members after a violent crackdown on protests in 2007.

A decade earlier, in 1996, the EU adopted a banned the sale or transfer of arms and weapons expertise to the country.

It also suspended all bilateral aid other than humanitarian assistance.

BBC NEWS REPORT.