Myanmar Supreme Court considers transfer of case against Aung San Suu Kyi

Bangkok, Jun 24 (EFE).- The Myanmar Supreme Court held a hearing Thursday to deliberate on the transfer of a case of alleged violation of official secrets against deposed leader Aung San Suu Kyi, from Yangon to the capital Naypyitaw, her defense team reported Thursday.

Khim Maung Zaw, one of the former president’s lawyers, told EFE it is a preliminary hearing before the start of what would be the second trial against the Nobel Peace Prize winner on the charge of allegedly violating the Official Secrets Law.

It is the most serious charge the military brought against Suu Kyi, who faces up to 14 years in prison if guilty.

Last week, the first trial against the former leader began on five diverse charges such as inciting public agitation, violation of Covid-19 regulations and the illegal importation of walkie-talkies.

She has also been accused by the Anti-Corruption Commission of accepting bribes and abuse of power, charges rejected by her lawyers.

The military, under the command of the coupmaker Gen. Min Aung Hlaing, detained Suu Kyi in Naypyitaw the day they took power in a Feb. 1 coup and have since kept her incommunicado in an undisclosed location.

During the first preliminary hearings before the Naypyitaw court, Suu Kyi appeared virtually and only went to court in person on May 24.

At least 877 people have been killed and more than 6,000, including Suu Kyi, have been arbitrarily detained since the coup by military junta forces who have used military weaponry to violently suppress peaceful protests.

However, some protesters have chosen to take up arms and have formed civil defense militias that face the army in a spiral of violence.

The military justifies the coup on alleged fraud in November’s legislative elections, seen as free and fair by international observers and in which Suu Kyi’s party obtained an overwhelming majority. EFE

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