Myanmar ousted chief Aung San Suu Kyi goes on trial; critics say expenses bogus

Myanmar’s ousted chief Aung San Suu Kyi was set to go on trial Monday on expenses that many observers have criticized as an try by the army junta that deposed her to delegitimise her democratic election and cripple her political future.Suu Kyi’s prosecution poses the best problem for the 75-year-old and her National League for Democracy social gathering since February’s army coup, which prevented them from taking workplace for a second five-year time period following final yr’s landslide election victory.Human Rights Watch charged that the allegations being heard in a particular courtroom within the capital, Naypyitaw, are “bogus and politically motivated” with the intention of nullifying the victory and stopping Suu Kyi from operating for workplace once more.“This trial is clearly the opening salvo in an overall strategy to neuter Suu Kyi and the National League for Democracy party as a force that can challenge military rule in the future,” mentioned Phil Robertson, the group’s deputy Asia director.The military seized energy on Feb. 1, earlier than the brand new lawmakers might be seated, and arrested Suu Kyi, who held the publish of particular counsellor, and President Win Myint, together with different members of her authorities and the ruling social gathering. The coup reversed years of sluggish progress towards extra democracy for Myanmar.The military cited the federal government’s failure to correctly examine alleged voting irregularities as its cause for seizing energy — an assertion contested by the impartial Asian Network for Free Elections and plenty of others. Junta officers have threatened to dissolve the National League for Democracy for alleged involvement in election fraud and any conviction for Suu Kyi might see her barred from politics.The junta has claimed it should maintain new elections inside the subsequent yr or two, however the nation’s army has an extended historical past of promising elections and never following by means of. Military-ruled Myanmar for 50 years after a coup in 1962, and stored Suu Kyi below home arrest for 15 years after a failed 1988 in style rebellion.The army’s newest takeover sparked nationwide protests that proceed regardless of a violent crackdown that has killed a whole lot of individuals. Although avenue demonstrations have shrunk in quantity and scale, the junta now faces a low-level armed rebel by its opponents in each rural and concrete areas.Suu Kyi is being tried on allegations she illegally imported walkie-talkies for her bodyguards’ use, unlicensed use of the radios and spreading data that would trigger public alarm or unrest, in addition to for 2 counts of violating the Natural Disaster Management Law for allegedly breaking pandemic restrictions through the 2020 election marketing campaign, her attorneys mentioned Sunday.“All these charges should be dropped, resulting in her immediate and unconditional release,” said Human Rights Watch’s Robertson. “But sadly, with the restrictions on access to her lawyers, and the case being heard in front of a court that is wholly beholden to the military junta, there is little likelihood she will receive a fair trial.” Government prosecutors will have until June 28 to finish their presentation, after which Suu Kyi’s defence team will have until July 26 to present its case, Khin Maung Zaw, the team’s senior member, said last week. Court sessions are due to be held on Monday and Tuesday each week.Two other more serious charges are being handled separately. Suu Kyi is charged with breaching the colonial-era Official Secrets Act, which carried a maximum 14-year prison term, and police last week filed complaints under a section of the Anti-Corruption Law that states that political office holders convicted for bribery face a maximum penalty of 15 years in prison and a fine.Although Suu Kyi faced her first charge just days after the coup, she was not immediately allowed to consult with her lawyers. On May 24, when she made her first actual appearance in court, she allowed the first of two brief face-to-face meetings with them at pre-trial hearings. Her only previous court appearances had been by video link.A photo of her May 24 appearance released by state media showed her sitting straight-backed in a small courtroom, wearing a pink face mask, her hands folded in her lap. Alongside her were her two co-defendants on several charges, the former president as well as the former mayor of Naypyitaw, Myo Aung.The three were able to meet with their defence team for about 30 minutes before the hearing began at a special court set up inside Naypyitaw’s city council building, said one of their lawyers, Min Min Soe. Senior lawyer Khin Maung Zaw said Suu Kyi “seems fit and alert and smart, as always.”READ | Who is Naftali Bennett, Israel’s new chief?ALSO READ | New Israeli authorities wins majority vote, ending Netanyahu tenure