Deposed Myanmar leader Aung San Suu Kyi was sentenced to four years in prison. (File)
Geneva:
The UN rights chief on Monday criticized Myanmar’s authorities for convicting and sentenced ousted leader Aung San Suu Kyi to four years in prison, demanding her release.
“The conviction of the State Counselor following a sham trial in secret proceedings before a military-controlled court is nothing but politically motivated,” Michelle Bachelet said in a statement.
“It’s not just about her arbitrary denial of freedom – it’s also closing another door for political dialogue.”
Suu Kyi, 76, has been detained since generals staged a coup and overthrew her government on February 1, ending the Southeast Asian country’s brief democratic era.
Since then, she has been charged with a range of charges, including official secrecy act violations, corruption and vote rigging, and she faces decades in prison if convicted on all counts. crime.
On Monday, Ms. Suu Kyi was sentenced to two years for incitement against the army and another two years for violating Covid-related disaster laws.
Former President Win Myint was also sentenced to four years in prison for the same crime.
Last month, Than Naing, a former Kayin state planning minister, and Nan Khin Htwe Myint, a former Kayin state chief, were sentenced to 90 and 75 years in prison for corruption respectively, Bachelet pointed out.
“The military is trying to assist the courts to eliminate all political opposition,” she said.
“But these cases cannot provide a legal indication of the illegality of the coup and military rule.”
The UN rights chief also strongly condemned the “cruel, utterly reprehensible” attack reported on Sunday in Yangon, where soldiers rammed a vehicle into a peaceful protester and then Use real bullets to shoot.
Bachelet expressed concern that these developments risk exacerbating tension and violence.
Eyewitnesses said at least three people were injured in Sunday’s attack.
State media said one person suffered serious injuries and 11 were arrested for protesting “without permission”.
(This story has not been edited by NDTV staff and was automatically generated from the feed provided.)
