Myanmar’s ousted chief Aung San Suu Kyi appeared in courtroom in particular person Monday for the primary time for the reason that army arrested her when it seized energy on Feb. 1, Myanmar media reported.
One of her legal professionals, Min Min Soe, instructed The Associated Press by telephone that Ms. Suu Kyi was in a position to meet together with her defence staff earlier than her listening to started at a particular courtroom arrange inside town council constructing in Naypyitaw, the capital. The listening to’s objective was procedural.
The legal professionals additionally met with Win Myint, who was president within the authorities that Ms. Suu Kyi led as state counsellor, and a defendant on a number of the similar prices she faces.
Ms. Suu Kyi had been charged with a number of legal offences, however her solely earlier courtroom appearances had been by video hyperlink, and he or she had not been allowed to satisfy in particular person with any of her legal professionals.
Ms. Min Min Soe stated Ms. Suu Kyi had a message for Myanmar’s individuals to the impact that her National League for Democracy get together would stand by them.
“The main thing (she said) is that she always wishes good health and well-being for all the people, and she also said that since the NLD was founded for the people, the NLD will exist as long as the people exist,” stated Ms. Min Min Soe stated after the listening to.
“She looks fresh, healthy and full of confidence,” she added.
Monday’s listening to involved a number of of the six prices Ms. Suu Kyi faces.
These are two counts of violating the Natural Disaster Management Law for violating COVID-19 pandemic restrictions throughout the 2020 election marketing campaign; illegally importing walkie-talkies that had been for her bodyguards’ use; unlicensed use of the radios; and spreading data that would trigger public alarm or unrest.
The most severe cost that Ms. Suu Kyi faces is breaching the colonial-era Official Secrets Act, which carries a penalty of as much as 14 years’ imprisonment, however that’s being dealt with by a separate courtroom.
Ms. Suu Kyi’s supporters say the proceedings towards her are politically motivated and meant to attempt to legitimize the army’s seizure of energy and discredit her. If convicted of any of the offences, she might be banned from working within the election that the junta has stated it should maintain inside one or two years of its takeover.
The army ousted Ms. Suu Kyi’s authorities lower than three months after her National League for Democracy get together received a landslide victory in a normal election that will have given it a second five-year time period in workplace. Before the beginning of democratic reforms a decade in the past, Myanmar was dominated by the army for 50 years.
The junta claims it was justified in taking energy due to alleged widespread electoral fraud, particularly irregularities within the voting lists.
The Asian Network for Free Elections, a non-partisan ballot watching group, in a report issued final week rejected the army’s allegations of huge fraud, saying the outcomes of final November’s voting had been consultant of the need of the individuals.
On Friday, nevertheless, the top of Myanmar’s military-appointed state election fee stated his company will contemplate whether or not to dissolve Ms. Suu Kyi’s former ruling get together for alleged involvement in electoral fraud and whether or not these concerned “should be punished as traitors.”
The junta has accused Ms. Suu Kyi of corruption and introduced on state tv what it stated was proof that she took bribes, however has thus far solely stated it intends to pursue prices for that offence. Her legal professionals dismiss the allegations.
Several circumstances are additionally pending towards different senior members of Ms. Suu Kyi’s get together along with Mr. Win Myint, the ousted president.
Australian economist Sean Turnell, who served as Ms. Suu Kyi’s adviser and was additionally detained on the day of the military’s takeover, has been charged with violating the Official Secrets Act.