Kelly suggested Adam's account was a ploy to goad him into testifying.

WSJ: NY politician testifies at police stop-frisk trial

Robin Goad, a research director at Hitwise who has analysed Twitter growth, said businesses were definitely starting to sign up to the micro-blogging service.

BBC: Twitter followers 'can be bought'

The growing commercial use of Twitter was presenting the network with a few problems, said Mr Goad.

BBC: Twitter followers 'can be bought'

Some Twitter users were also starting to send out messages that are only about a product or service - effectively spam, said Mr Goad.

BBC: Twitter followers 'can be bought'

"He told his ministers to goad the villagers into speaking out, " says a civil servant.

CNN: ASIANOW - TIME Asia