The verdict is the first in a series of cases brought against the 76-year-old Nobel laureate since the military seized power on February 1.
A special court in Myanmar’s capital sentenced the country’s ousted leader Aung San Suu Kyi to four years in prison on Monday, finding her guilty of provoking and violating coronavirus restrictions, a legal official said.
The conviction was the first in a series of cases in which the 76-year-old Nobel laureate was being tried since the military seized power on February 1, prompting his National League for Democracy party to begin a second five-year term in office. was stopped from ,
The incitement case involved statements posted on his party’s Facebook page after he and other party leaders were already detained by the military while conducting a campaign ahead of the election in November last year on a coronavirus charge. attendance, in which his party won a landslide victory.
The military, whose ally lost several seats in the election, claimed widespread voting fraud, but independent election observers did not detect any major irregularities.
The court’s decision was conveyed by a legal official, who insisted on anonymity for fear of being punished by the authorities. Suu Kyi’s trial is closed to the media and audience, and her lawyers, who were her sole source of information on the proceedings, were ordered in October to refuse to release the information.
The cases against Suu Kyi are widely seen as a conspiracy to defame her and prevent her from running in the next election. The Constitution forbids anyone being sent to prison after being convicted of a crime by holding a high office or becoming an MLA.
Even 10 months after the military takeover, opposition to military rule remains strong and the decision could further escalate tensions.
Protest marches were held on Sunday against the military government and called for the release of Suu Kyi and other detained members of her government. According to unconfirmed reports, an army truck was deliberately dumped by about 30 youths in a march in Yangon, the country’s largest city, and at least three protesters were killed.
Suu Kyi’s ruling in the first two cases for allegedly spreading false or inflammatory information that could disturb public order – and for allegedly violating a natural disaster management law for breaking coronavirus restrictions, last Tuesday was to be given. However, the court stayed its decision without any explanation. Also, it agreed this week to allow an additional defense witness to testify on a separate coronavirus charge who was previously unable to appear in court due to ill health.
Suu Kyi’s lawyers vehemently demanded that the charge of incitement be dismissed. Prosecution evidence included statements posted on Suu Kyi’s party Facebook page. Defense lawyers argued that Suu Kyi and a co-defendant, former President Win Myint, could not be held responsible for the statements – who criticized the takeover and suggested in broad terms that it be opposed – because they were already in custody.
Naipitaw’s former mayor, Myo Aung, was another defendant in the charge, which carries a maximum sentence of two years in prison and a fine. Win Myint was sentenced to a total of four years and Myo Aung was sentenced to two years.
February’s seizure of power was sparked by nationwide non-violent demonstrations, which were destroyed with deadly force by security forces. They have killed around 1,300 civilians, according to a detailed tally compiled by the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners.
Armed resistance has risen in cities and rural areas, with severe restrictions on nonviolent protests, with UN experts warning that the country is slipping into civil war.
Suu Kyi was taken into custody by the military on the day of her acquisition, and she has not been seen in public since then, although she has appeared in court in several of her lawsuits.
A decision on Suu Kyi’s second count on violating coronavirus restrictions is set for December 14. The maximum fine for each count is three years’ imprisonment and a fine.
Other cases against Suu Kyi now trying to cover up alleged unregistered importation and use of walkie-talkies by her security guards; Violation of the Official Secrets Act, of which jailed Australian economist Sean Turnell is a co-defendant; and four separate corruption charges covering alleged acceptance of bribes and abuse of office to obtain favorable terms on property transactions. Each charge of corruption carries a maximum prison term of 15 years and a fine.
The trial on the fifth corruption charge has yet to begin, and state media announced last week that a sixth charge has also been filed against Suu Kyi.
The latest charges accuse him and Win Mint of corruption in granting permits to rent and buy a helicopter.
In mid-November, the military-appointed Election Commission announced that it intended to prosecute Suu Kyi and 15 other senior political figures for alleged fraud in the last election, which could result in the dissolution of her party.
The military has declared a seizure of power due to widespread electoral fraud, a claim that independent election observers say is lacking in evidence.
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