Myanmar Police File Second Charge Against Deposed Myanmar Leader Suu Kyi

Myanmar leader Aung San Suu Kyi: Myanmar’s military regime has filed another charge against the deposed leader, Aung San Suu Kyi.

Suu Kyi was overthrown on February 1, 2021 and has already been charged under Myanmar’s import and export law for having walkie-talkies at home. She was deposed and detained during a military takeover. The new charge she faces is for breaking a law that is used to prosecute people who have violated the coronavirus restrictions.

The breaking of the law carries a maximum punishment of three years in prison. Unfortunately, due to the changes to the Penal Code instituted last week, it could allow for Suu Kyi to be detained indefinitely without court permission. This legal manoeuvre took place two weeks after the coup in which the military seized power. Since then, the junta (a group of people controlling a government after a revolutionary seizure of power) has increased pressure on protesters that resisted the takeover. Incidents of blocking internet access and violently breaking up demonstrations have been taking place.

Suu Kyi’s lawyer, Khin Maung Zaw, told reporters that he had not seen his client yet. He did not arrive at court in time to see the videoconference the judge stated had been held. According to the lawyer, the videoconference had not been expected. He said that Suu Kyi is charged with flouting the country's disaster management law.

"She was charged under section 8 of the Export and Import law and section 25 of the Natural Disaster Management law as well," he told AFP.

The military states that there was fraud in last year’s elections, which lead to Suu Kyi’s party winning the election in a landslide. The state election commission found no evidence that supports the claims of fraud.