YANGON (Myanmar) - THE sole defence witness was scheduled to appear on Thursday at the trial of Myanmar opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi for violating the terms of her house arrest, as the proceedings seemed to be nearing their end.

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

The American whose uninvited visit to Ms Suu Kyi's home triggered the case against her testified on Wednesday that he was 'sent by God' to make his nighttime swim to her compound earlier this month, according to Mr Nyan Win.

Ms Suu Kyi is accused of violating the terms of her house arrest by sheltering the visitor, John W. Yettaw of Falcon, Missouri.

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.

The regime's critics charge that the case against the Nobel Peace laureate was concocted to keep her detained during elections the government has planned for next year. She pleaded not guilty on Friday.

Mr Nyan Win said on Wednesday that only a legal expert, Mr Kyi Win, would be allowed to testify in her defence. Ms Suu Kyi's side is seeking to prove that her harbouring Yettaw did not constitute a violation of her house arrest and that it was the duty of government guards outside her property to prevent any intrusions.

The rejected witnesses were another lawyer and two senior members of Ms Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy party.

The court said legal procedure allows it to reject witnesses who are proposed 'for the purpose of vexation or delay or for defeating the ends of justice'.

Mr Nyan Win told reporters it was unfair and inappropriate to reject witnesses in such an important case. He said the court had approved 23 prosecution witnesses, of whom 14 took the stand.

He said the court would hear Mr Kyi Win's testimony on Thursday and judgment 'is likely' to be made on Friday.

Two female party members who live with Ms Suu Kyi, and the 53-year-old Yettaw, face the same charge as Ms Suu Kyi and have also pleaded not guilty. -- AP