Myanmar’s Aung San Suu Kyi sentenced to 4 years in prison

A Myanmar court sentenced ousted leader Aung San Suu Kyi to four more years in prison on Monday after finding her guilty of illegally importing and possessing walkie-talkies and violating coronavirus restrictions, a legal official said. . said a legal officer.

Suu Kyi was convicted last month on two other charges and given a four-year prison sentence, which was later halved by the head of the military-established government.

Nearly a dozen cases have been brought against the 76-year-old Nobel Peace Prize laureate since the military seized power last February, toppled his elected government and arrested top members of his National League for Democracy party.

If found guilty on all charges, he could face more than 100 years in prison.

Suu Kyi’s supporters and independent analysts say the charges against her are aimed at legitimizing the military’s seizure of power and preventing her from returning to politics.

Monday’s decision in court in the capital was conveyed by a legal official, who insisted on anonymity for fear of being punished by authorities who had barred the release of information about Suu Kyi’s trials.

He said he was sentenced to two years under the Export-Import Act and one year under the Telecom Act for importing walkie-talkies. Punishment is to be given simultaneously. He also received a two-year jail term under the Natural Disaster Management Act for allegedly violating coronavirus rules during the election campaign.

Suu Kyi pleaded guilty last month to two other charges – for abetting and violating COVID-19 restrictions – and sentenced to four years in prison. Hours after that sentence was issued, the head of government established by the military, Senior General Min Aung Huling, halved it.

Suu Kyi’s party won a landslide victory in the 2020 general election, but the military claimed there was widespread electoral fraud, a claim that free election watchers suspect.

Since her first guilty verdict, Suu Kyi has been attending court hearings in prison clothes – a white top provided by authorities and a brown longi skirt. She is being held by the military at an undisclosed location, where state television reported last month that she would serve her sentence.

The hearing is closed to the media and audience and prosecutors do not comment. His lawyers, who were the source of information about the proceedings, were given a gag order in October.

The military-installed government has not allowed an outside party to meet with Suu Kyi as she seized power, despite international pressure for talks that could ease the country’s violent political crisis.

It will not allow a special envoy of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations of which Myanmar is a member. The denial received a rare rebuke from fellow members, who barred Min Aung Huling from attending its annual summit.

Even Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen, who took over as chairman of the regional grouping for this year and advocated engagement with the ruling generals, failed to meet with him last week when he took over the army. Became the first head of government to visit Myanmar.

According to a detailed list compiled by the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners, the military’s seizure of power stemmed from nonviolent nationwide demonstrations, which were destroyed with deadly force by security forces, killing more than 1,400 civilians.

Peaceful protests continue, but amid serious action, an armed resistance has also risen, to the extent that UN experts have warned the country could slip into civil war.

“The Myanmar Junta Courtroom Circus of Covert Proceedings on Fake Charges is about piling up more sentences against Aung San Suu Kyi so that she remains in prison indefinitely. Senior General Min Aung Huling and the junta leader apparently still see them as a paramount political threat that needs to be neutralized permanently,” said Phil Robertson, deputy Asia director for Human Rights Watch.

In a statement, Robertson said, “Once again, Aung San Suu Kyi has become a symbol of what is happening to her country and she has returned to the role of a political hostage to military hell, who is intimidated. And are intent on using violence to control power.” “Fortunately for her and Myanmar’s future, the Myanmar people’s movement has grown beyond the leadership of just one woman and one political party.”

Suu Kyi was accused of improperly importing walkie-talkies right after the military takeover, which served as the initial justification for her continued detention. A second charge of illegally possessing the radio was filed the following month.

Radios were confiscated from the entrance of his residence and the barracks of his bodyguards during a search on February 1, the day he was arrested.

Suu Kyi’s lawyers argued that the radios were not in her personal possession and were legitimately used to help provide her security, but the court declined to dismiss the charges.

He was charged with two counts of breaching coronavirus restrictions during the 2020 election campaign. He was found guilty on the first count last month.

He is also being tried by the same court in five corruption cases. The maximum penalty for each count is 15 years in prison and a fine. A sixth corruption charge against him and ousted President Win Myint in connection with the granting of permits to rent and buy helicopters is yet to be tried.

In separate proceedings, he has been charged with violating the Official Secrets Act, which carries a maximum sentence of 14 years.

Additional charges were also added by Myanmar’s election commission in November against Suu Kyi and 15 other politicians for alleged fraud in the 2020 election. Allegations made by the military-appointed Union Election Commission could result in Suu Kyi’s party disbanding and unable to participate in a new election, which the military has promised will take place within two years of the takeover.

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