Conflicts & War

Myanmar court defers verdict against Suu Kyi until December

Bangkok, Nov 30 (EFE).- A Myanmar court Tuesday delayed until Dec.6 its verdict in the trial of ousted leader Aung San Suu Kyi.

Judicial sources, who requested anonymity for security reasons, told EFE that the court in the capital Naypyidaw deferred the verdict after Suu Kyi’s lawyers sought testimony from an additional witness.

The ruling would have been the first in many against Suu Kyi that could send her to prison for several years.

The court is conducting the trial for incitement against the military and breaking a natural disasters law by violating Covid-19 protocols.

Suu Kyi pleaded not guilty in September to the charges of inciting someone to commit a crime against the state and cause “fear and alarm.”

Suu Kyi’s lawyers have said they were facing difficulties to find witnesses to testify on her behalf for fear of possible reprisals from the military junta, which has held power in the country since a coup on Feb.1.

The deposed leader, detained by the military since the coup day, also faces trial on other charges, including the use of illegal communications equipment, the violation of the Official Secrets Act (punishable by up to 14 years in prison), abuse of power, and corruption for allegedly having accepted bribes.

The Myanmar junta justifies the coup, citing alleged electoral fraud in the November 2020 elections in which Suu Kyi’s party won a landslide victory.

International observers have cleared the polls as free and fair.

The coup plunged Myanmar into a deep political, social, and economic crisis after the military imprisoned Suu Kyi and other leaders of the National League for Democracy.

Some 1,297 people have lost their lives in violent repression against peaceful civilian protesters by security forces since the coup.

Over 10,500 opponents have also been arbitrarily detained, according to the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners. EFE

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