The former leader of Myanmar has already been given 11 years of prison for other charges, the latest trial would add 15 more years of imprisonment
On Monday, the former head of state of Myanmar, Aung San Suu Kyi went on a new trial. This time it was for a corruption case that alleged that she took $550,000 in bribes from an industrialist in the construction sector.
There are currently two charges against her under the Anti-Corruption act. If found guilty Ms. Suu Kyi can be punished with up to 15 years in prison in addition to fines. Suu Kyi has been under detention since the military came into power in 2021 amidst the pandemic. She has not been allowed to interact with the media or the public since the detention.
Trails against her are conducted in closed sessions and her lawyers are also not allowed to speak on her behalf. There is a gag order placed on them.
In the case she illegally imported and used walkie talkies, she was convicted of 11 years of imprisonment. She has also been convicted in cases relating to violation of corona virus-related restrictions, corruption and sedation.
There have been accusations that the cases filed against her are an attempt by the military to delegitimize and discredit her as a leader. There is widespread resistance to the army takeover of Myanmar and some analysts have categorized it as a civil war situation.
In the ongoing case, she is accused of receiving bribes from Maung Weik, in 2019 and 2020. Maung Weik has been previously convicted of drug trafficking. The military-backed media in Myanmar reported that Ms. Suu Kyi received $550,000 in four instalments to help private entrepreneurs’ business activities.
When Ms. Suu Kyi was in power Maung Weik company won a major tender that included huge scale construction of houses, hospitals and hotels in the Mandalay region. Her lawyers are trying to get a favourable verdict on technical grounds and have appealed to the supreme court.
Published By – Chirag Agrawal
Edited By – Architha Menon M
