Myanmar: What can we expect from Aung San Suu Kyi trial?

Franck Robichon/ Reuters

On February 1, 2021, the day Myanmar's military toppled the nation's democratically elected government in a coup, Aung San Suu Kyi was arrested.

Since then, the country's most prominent politician and pro-democracy advocate has once again been under house arrest. She had already been confined to her home, with interruptions, for a total of 15 years between 1989 and 2012.

Immediately after her arrest, the military began bringing various charges against the former state councilor and leader of the National League for Democracy (NLD) party, accusing her of violating a raft of laws.

First, she was accused of violating a law regulating imports and exports for the illegal importation and possession of walkie-talkie radios and violating coronavirus protocols under a disaster management law.

Then, the charges laid against her became more serious, including inciting public unrest, violations of the colonial-era Official Secrets Act and corruption.

The military-controlled Anti-Corruption Agency has alleged that Suu Kyi illegally accepted $600,000 (€518,000) in bribes and seven pieces of gold.

The corruption trial is scheduled to begin on Friday. If convicted, the 76-year-old faces up to 15 years in prison for this charge alone.

Publish : 2021-10-01 15:09:00

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