Jan 27, 2010 (AFP), A Burmese court delayed a verdict Wednesday in the case of a US citizen detained in the military-ruled country, whose release has been called for by more than 50 US lawmakers, his lawyer said.

Rights activist Kyaw Zaw Lwin, also known as Nyi Nyi Aung, was arrested in early September and is being held in prison on charges of fraud and forgery related to a Burmese identity card and of failing to declare currency at customs.

A verdict for the 40-year-old was due Wednesday but his lawyer Nyan Win — who also represents Burma's detained opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi — said it was postponed to February 10. "The court is not ready," he told AFP.

In December more than 50 US lawmakers wrote to junta chief Than Shwe, urging him to release the Burma-born detainee from prison amid health worries.

The lawmakers said the charges against Kyaw Zaw Lwin were a pretext to hold him and that his "longstanding non-violent activities in support of freedom and democracy" in Burma were the real reason for his imprisonment.

Dissident groups from Burma have said he was hoping to see his ailing mother, herself detained over political activities, when he was arrested.

New York-based Human Rights watch has also called for his release and said the charges — which Kyaw Zaw Lwin denies — were "trumped-up" by the regime in Burma.

"The Obama administration should tell Burma’s generals this trial is a litmus test for its commitment to release political prisoners prior to the 2010 elections," said Elaine Pearson, the group’s deputy Asia director.

Kyaw Zaw Lwin’s lawyers say he was deprived of food, sleep, medical treatment and US consular access in his first two weeks of detention.

His fiancee and his Washington-based lawyer said in December he had gone on a hunger strike to demand better conditions for political prisoners and was in deteriorating health.