Myanmar leader Aung San Suu Kyi was deposed by the military in a February coup. (File)
A court in military-ruled Myanmar will rule on Tuesday for the first time in nearly a dozen cases against ousted leader Aung San Suu Kyi, to hear charges that carry a total of prison sentences. more than 100 years maximum.
The Nobel Peace Prize laureate led an elected civilian government that was overthrown in a February 1 military coup and has been illegally organized and on trial since June, with closed trials.
According to a source familiar with the proceedings, a judge will rule on Tuesday on charges of incitement and breach of disaster law by violating COVID-19 protocols, corresponding prison sentences of up to two years. and three years.
Facing a similar fate if convicted as co-defendant Win Myint, the ousted president and ally of Suu Kyi’s National League for Democracy (NLD) party.
Neither the authorities nor the state media provided information about the proceedings and a gag order was imposed on the defendants’ attorneys. Ms. Suu Kyi has also been charged with corruption.
The United States and experts from the United Nations condemned the charges and demanded their release.
An army spokesman did not respond on Monday to the calls, but had previously said that Suu Kyi was being handled by an independent judiciary under due process.
Supporters of Ms. Suu Kyi, 76, say the cases are politically motivated and designed to end the political life of a woman who has championed democracy for decades under rulers. former military authority, most of the time under house arrest.
Myanmar has been plunged into turmoil since being ousted, with the country’s military struggling to consolidate power amid protests, strikes and armed protests by militias in retaliation. military use of deadly force.
The incitement centered on an unsigned letter sent by the NLD while Ms. Suu Kyi was in custody, which urged embassies not to recognize military ranks.
The other alleges COVID-19 violations during last year’s election campaign. Both deny wrongdoing.
Richard Horsey, a Myanmar expert at the International Crisis Group, said the allegations were made to dismiss a popularly elected leader.
“The generals know that these rulings will not convince anyone, and are instead intended to demonstrate the regime’s power. But it is likely to only strengthen the resolve of the protest movement. of the masses,” he said.
Political analyst Khin Zaw Win said that regardless of Tuesday’s ruling, a revolution has been waged in Myanmar far beyond Suu Kyi.
“They’re trying to make sure she can’t get back into politics anymore,” he said.
“They (the military) have shown atrocities and still continue. This cannot be resolved politically… The revolution is no longer about the NLD government or Daw Aung San Suu Kyi. .”
(This story has not been edited by NDTV staff and was automatically generated from the feed provided.)
