Bangkok (AP) — A special court in the capital of Myanmar sentenced Aung San Suu Kyi, an exiled leader of the country, to four years in prison on Monday after pleading guilty to agitation and violation of coronavirus restrictions, legal officials said. Stated.
The ruling is the first in a series of indictments since the 76-year-old Nobel laureate took power on February 1, and her National League for Democracy has been indicted for the second five years. Prevented the start of his term. .. A verdict on another case against her is expected next week.
If convicted in all the cases she faces, she could be sentenced to more than 100 years in prison. According to legal officials, the court on Monday did not say whether Suu Kyi would be sent to jail or under house arrest on two convictions. She has been under house arrest for 15 years since 1989 in a long struggle for democracy.
The agitation included a statement posted on her party’s Facebook page after she and other leaders had already been detained by the military, and the coronavirus accusations were in November last year when her party overwhelmingly won. It included the emergence of a campaign prior to the election.
The army, whose allies lost many seats in the election, claimed large-scale fraudulent votes, but independent election observers did not find major fraud.
The Naypyidaw court ruling was conveyed by a lawyer who claimed anonymity for fear of being punished by the authorities. Suu Kyi’s trial was not open to the media or the audience, and her lawyer, who was the only source of information about the proceedings, received a gag order in October banning information disclosure.
Government officials could not be contacted immediately for details of the ruling. A special court is a legacy of British colonial rule and has been appointed to hear certain cases. They are most often used in political affairs.
According to legal officials, the defense lawyer will appeal to Mr. Suu Kyi and his two colleagues, who were also convicted on Monday, within a few days.
The proceedings against Suu Kyi are widely seen as being devised to discredit her and prevent her from running for the next election. The Constitution prohibits anyone sent to jail after being convicted of a crime from becoming a high-ranking official or a member of parliament.
Opposition to the junta remains strong 10 months after the military takeover, and the verdict could add to the tension.
There was a protest march against the junta on Sunday, calling for the release of Suu Kyi and other detained members of her government.Army truck Deliberately rush into the march According to unconfirmed reports, about 30 young people and at least three protesters in Yangon, the country’s largest city, may have been killed.
Soo Chi’s first two rulings allegedly disseminated false and inflammatory information that could be offensive to public order and morals, and last Tuesday allegedly violated the Natural Disaster Management Act for violating coronavirus restrictions. It was supposed to be submitted. However, the court postponed the decision without explanation. At the same time, it agreed this week to allow testimony about another coronavirus accusation from an additional lawyer who was previously unable to attend court due to poor health.
Suu Kyi’s lawyer energetically urged him to dismiss the alleged sedition. The prosecution’s evidence consisted of a statement posted on the Suu Kyi party’s Facebook page. Defendant lawyers argued that Suu Kyi and co-defendant Win Myint were not liable for statements that criticized the acquisition and suggested resistance in a broad sense. Because they were already in custody.
Myo Aung, the former mayor of Naypyidaw, was another defendant on suspicion of agitation and was sentenced to up to two years in prison and a fine. He was sentenced to two years in prison. Win Myint was sentenced to a total of four years in prison, agitated for two years, and violated the coronavirus restrictions for two years.
The seize of power in February was filled with nationwide nonviolent demonstrations in which security forces were crushed by deadly forces. They killed about 1,300 civilians, according to a detailed tally compiled by the Political Prisoner Support Association.
Strict restrictions on nonviolent protests have led to armed resistance growing in cities and the countryside, and UN experts have warned that the country is in a civil war.
The military detained Suu Kyi on the day of the acquisition, and she has appeared in court in several trials, but has not been seen in public since.
A ruling on Suu Kyi’s second count for violating coronavirus restrictions is scheduled for December 14. The maximum penalties for each count are 3 years imprisonment and a fine.
Other cases against Suu Kyi, who are currently on trial, cover allegations of unregistered imports and use of transceivers by her guards. Violation of the Official Secrets Act, co-defendant of imprisoned Australian economist Sean Turnell. Four separate corruption charges covering allegations of bribery acceptance and job abuse to obtain favorable terms in property transactions. Each corruption charge can be imprisoned for up to 15 years and fined.
The fifth alleged corruption trial has not yet begun, and last week state media announced that a sixth alleged corruption was also filed against Suu Kyi.
Recent accusations have accused her and Win Myint of corruption by granting permission to rent and buy helicopters.
In mid-November, the military-appointed Election Commission announced its intention to prosecute Suu Kyi and 15 other senior politicians for fraud in the previous election.
The military has declared that it has seized power due to widespread fraudulent elections. It claims that independent election observers lack evidence.