BANGKOK: Aung San Suu Kyi, the civilian leader of Myanmar who was ousted in a de facto coup this year, was convicted on two charges on Monday and handed a four-year sentence that was quickly cut in half – in proceedings widely criticised as a further effort by the country’s military rulers to roll back the democratic gains of recent years.
They serve to cement a dramatic reversal of fortunes for the Nobel Peace laureate, who spent 15 years under house arrest for resisting the Southeast Asian nation’s generals but then agreed to work alongside them when they promised to usher in democratic rule. Monday’s verdict was the first in a series of cases brought against 76-year-old Suu Kyi since her arrest on February 1, the day the army seized power and prevented her National League for Democracy party starting a second term in office. If found guilty of all the charges she faces, Suu Kyi could be sentenced to more than 100 years in prison. She is being held by the military at an unknown location – and state TV reported that she would serve her sentence there. That sentence was reduced hours after it was handed down in what the report said was an amnesty ordered by the country’s military leader, General Min Aung Hlaing. The court earlier offered a 10-month reduction in the sentence for time served, a legal official said.
The army seized power claiming massive voting fraud in the November 2020 election, which Suu Kyi’s party won in a landslide. The cases against Suu Kyi are widely seen as contrived to discredit her and keep her from running in the next election. UN high commissioner for human rights Michelle Bachelet called the proceedings a “sham trial”.
The US joined others in calling for the release of Suu Kyi and others who are detained. “The regime’s continued disregard for the rule of law and its widespread use of violence against the Burmese people underscore the urgency of restoring Burma’s path to democracy” secretary of state Antony Blinken said, using a former name for Myanmar. As is typical, China, a neighbour that has maintained friendly ties with Myanmar’s military leaders, declined to criticise the verdict. Beijing hopes “all parties in Myanmar will bear in mind the long-term interests,” a spokesperson said.
On Monday, she faced an incitement charge that centred on statements posted on her party’s Facebook page after she and other party leaders were detained by the military. She was accused of spreading false or inflammatory information that could disturb public order. In addition, she was accused of violating coronavirus restrictions for her appearance at a campaign event .
They serve to cement a dramatic reversal of fortunes for the Nobel Peace laureate, who spent 15 years under house arrest for resisting the Southeast Asian nation’s generals but then agreed to work alongside them when they promised to usher in democratic rule. Monday’s verdict was the first in a series of cases brought against 76-year-old Suu Kyi since her arrest on February 1, the day the army seized power and prevented her National League for Democracy party starting a second term in office. If found guilty of all the charges she faces, Suu Kyi could be sentenced to more than 100 years in prison. She is being held by the military at an unknown location – and state TV reported that she would serve her sentence there. That sentence was reduced hours after it was handed down in what the report said was an amnesty ordered by the country’s military leader, General Min Aung Hlaing. The court earlier offered a 10-month reduction in the sentence for time served, a legal official said.
The army seized power claiming massive voting fraud in the November 2020 election, which Suu Kyi’s party won in a landslide. The cases against Suu Kyi are widely seen as contrived to discredit her and keep her from running in the next election. UN high commissioner for human rights Michelle Bachelet called the proceedings a “sham trial”.
The US joined others in calling for the release of Suu Kyi and others who are detained. “The regime’s continued disregard for the rule of law and its widespread use of violence against the Burmese people underscore the urgency of restoring Burma’s path to democracy” secretary of state Antony Blinken said, using a former name for Myanmar. As is typical, China, a neighbour that has maintained friendly ties with Myanmar’s military leaders, declined to criticise the verdict. Beijing hopes “all parties in Myanmar will bear in mind the long-term interests,” a spokesperson said.
On Monday, she faced an incitement charge that centred on statements posted on her party’s Facebook page after she and other party leaders were detained by the military. She was accused of spreading false or inflammatory information that could disturb public order. In addition, she was accused of violating coronavirus restrictions for her appearance at a campaign event .
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