A government spokesperson told AFP that the Myanmar military government on Monday sentenced the deported leader Aung San Suu Kyi to four years in prison for inciting opposition to the army and violating Covid rules. A government spokesperson told AFP that this It is the first in a series of possible sentences that could have sent the Nobel Prize winner to prison for decades.
The 76-year-old Aung San Suu Kyi has been detained since the coup d’etat and overthrow of her government on February 1st, ending the short democratic period in this Southeast Asian country.
Since then, she has been charged with a series of charges, including violations of official secrecy laws, corruption and election fraud. If convicted, she will face decades of imprisonment.
Military government spokesman Jo Min Tun told AFP on the phone that on Monday Aung San Suu Kyi was sentenced to two years in prison for inciting opposition to the army and two years in prison for violating the natural disaster law related to the new crown virus.
He said that former President Win Min was also sentenced to four years in prison for the same charges, but added that they would not be sent to prison. “They will face other charges from where they currently live,” he added, referring to their detention in the capital, Naypyidaw, but did not provide more details.
The conviction for incitement was related to a statement condemning the general’s takeover issued by her National Democratic League shortly after the coup.
Covid’s allegations are related to last year’s election. The National League for Democracy won the election by an overwhelming advantage, but the details are not yet clear due to the government’s gag order on court proceedings.
Journalists were barred from participating in special court hearings in Nay Pyi Taw, and Aung San Suu Kyi’s lawyer was recently barred from talking to the media.
In recent weeks, other senior members of the National League for Democracy have been sentenced to long-term prison sentences. Amnesty International immediately condemned Aung San Suu Kyi’s sentence.
“The harsh verdict on these false accusations against Aung San Suu Kyi is the latest example of the military’s determination to eliminate all opposition in Myanmar and stifle freedom,” said Ming Yuha, deputy regional director of the Amnesty International Campaign.
“The absurd and corrupt decisions of the courts are part of a devastating model of arbitrary punishment. Since the military coup in February, more than 1,300 people have been killed and thousands have been arrested.”
Richard Horsey, a senior adviser to Myanmar from the International Crisis Group, also told AFP that these sentences “are about the military’s revenge and display of power.”
“However, if she is sent to prison, it will be surprising. It is more likely that she will serve this and subsequent clauses in her home or in the regime’s’guest house’.”
The military, which has dominated Burmese life for decades, defended its coup, claiming fraud accusations in the general election last year.
International pressure on the military government to quickly restore democracy has shown no signs of derailing the generals, and bloody clashes with anti-coup protesters across the country continue.
News Source : Hindustan Times
