Aung San Suu Kyi: The legal cases against Myanmar's ex-leader

Aung San Suu Kyi, 76, is on trial in nearly a dozen cases that carry combined maximum sentences of more than 100 years in prison. She denies all charges.
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Aung San Suu Kyi was ousted in a 1 February military coup [KOEN VAN WEEL/ANP/AFP/Getty-file photo]

Myanmar's former leader Aung San Suu Kyi was sentenced to a further four years in jail on Monday, the latest in a string of cases brought against her since she was ousted in a 1 February military coup.

Nobel laureate Suu Kyi, 76, is on trial in nearly a dozen cases that carry combined maximum sentences of more than 100 years in prison. As of Monday, she has been sentenced to a total of six years in jail. She denies all charges.

The following is a summary of the sentences and cases against Suu Kyi, based on information available to Reuters:

  • Intent to incite, after her party sent a letter in February to international organisations asking them not to recognise the military government (Penal Code, Article 505). Sentenced to two years in prison last month.
  • Breaches of coronavirus regulations during her party's election campaigning in September 2020 (Natural Disaster Management Law, Article 25). Sentenced to two years in prison on Monday after a two-year sentence last month on a similar charge.
  • Possession in February of unlicensed walkie-talkies and a set of signal jammers (Export and Import Law, Article 8). One case, maximum 3 years in prison. (Telecommunications Law, Article 67). Sentenced on Monday to two years and one year in jail, respectively, on the charges. The sentences are to be served concurrently.
  • Obtaining, collecting, recording, or publishing or communicating secret information that could be useful to an enemy (Official Secrets Act). One case, maximum 14 years in prison.
  • Prosecution for "electoral fraud and lawless actions" (status unclear).
  • Violations of the anti-corruption law (Sections 55, 63). Six 6 cases, maximum 15 years in prison for each.
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Allegations include:

  • Misusing funds from the Daw Khin Kyi Foundation Suu Kyi chaired, to build a home.
  • Leasing government-owned land at a discounted rate.
  • Accepting bribes totalling $600,000 and 11.4 kg of gold bars.
  • Misuse of state funds for renting, buying a helicopter.

(Reuters)