Suu Kyi’s corruption trial

YANGON: A Myanmar military court will rule on Aung San Suu Kyi’s corruption case on Wednesday, according to a source familiar with the situation, in a case that may see the Nobel laureate imprisoned for 15 years.

Suu Kyi, 76, has been imprisoned since a military coup deposed her civilian administration in February of last year, thus ending the country’s brief spell of democracy.

She has subsequently been charged with a slew of crimes, including breaking the Official Secrets Act, corruption, and election fraud, and if convicted on all counts, she faces more than 150 years in prison.

According to a source close to the case, a decision in the corruption trial in which Suu Kyi is accused of receiving a bribe of $600,000 in cash and gold bars was slated for Tuesday.

However, the proceedings were “adjourned” without a verdict, which is now planned for Wednesday, according to the source.

Suu Kyi has already been sentenced to six years in prison for inciting against the military, violating Covid-19 regulations, and violating telecommunications legislation, but she will stay under house arrest while she fights other accusations.

Journalists have been barred from attending special court proceedings in Naypyidaw, the military-built capital, and Suu Kyi’s attorneys have been barred from speaking to the media.

She is also facing charges of violating the Official Secrets Act, along with imprisoned Australian scholar Sean Turnell.

According to a local monitoring group, more than 1,700 people have been murdered and over 13,000 have been detained in a crackdown on opposition since the coup.

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