Yangon, Myanmar ? Myanmar’s military government said today that its trial of Aung San Suu Kyi would have no political impact, though many have criticized the proceedings as a ploy to sideline the pro-democracy leader during elections scheduled for 2010.

The highly popular Suu Kyi, whom the regime has sought to remove from the political arena through years of detention, is on trial for violating the terms of her house arrest after an American man swam to and sneaked into her lakeside home.

A Foreign Ministry statement, carried in state-owned newspapers, said the trial was strictly related to the rule of law and “will not have any political impact.”

The only witness the defense is allowed to call was scheduled to appear at today’s court session as the proceedings seemed to be nearing their end.

One of Suu Kyi’s lawyers, Nyan Win, said that all but one of her witnesses had been disqualified, making it likely that the verdict will come this week.

If convicted, the 63-year-old Suu Kyi could be sentenced to five years in prison. Myanmar’s courts operate under the influence of the military and usually deal harshly with political dissidents.

John W. Yettaw, the American whose uninvited visit to Suu Kyi’s home triggered the case against her, testified Wednesday that he was “sent by God” to make his nighttime swim to her compound earlier this month, according to Nyan Win.