Aung San Suu Kyi’s Prison Sentence Reaches 26 Years After Latest Fraud Conviction | world news


Myanmar’s ousted leader Aung San Suu Kyi has been sentenced to an additional three years in prison after a court found her guilty of participating in election fraud.

The conviction adds to previous convictions which now leave her with a full prison sentence of 26 years, a legal official said.

The 77-year-old Nobel laureate, a leading figure in opposition to military rule, faces charges of at least 18 offenses ranging from corruption to election violations, which carry combined maximum sentences of nearly 190 years .

Image:
Demonstrators hold signs with pictures of Suu Kyi as they protest the military coup in Yangon

Grafting is defined as taking advantage of your political position or government employment by dishonestly or fraudulently taking money or property.

Suu Kyi called the charges against her absurd and denied any wrongdoing.

She is being held in solitary confinement in the capital, Naypyitaw, and her trials have been held behind closed doors.

The latest charges related to allegations that Suu Kyi took bribes from a businessman, the source said, who
declined to be identified due to the sensitivity of the issue.

Read more:
More than 5,600 prisoners will be freed by the junta
More than 80 dead after being targeted by rifle grenades
7-year-old girl reportedly shot dead in brutal crackdown on protesters

Suu Kyi was sentenced to three years in prison on two counts, to be served concurrently.

Army opponents say charges against Suu Kyi are aimed at preventing her from getting involved in politics
again or trying to challenge the military’s grip on power since last year’s coup.

The sentencing also jeopardizes the survival of Suu Kyi’s National League for Democracy party following explicit threats by the government to disband it ahead of a military-promised new election in 2023.

Court cases against Aung San Suu Kyi

Intention to incite, through a letter sent by her party to international organizations while she was in detention, to ask them not to recognize a military government. Sentenced to two years in prison, on December 6, 2021.

Violation of a natural disaster mitigation law by violating COVID-19 rules during the election campaign. Sentenced to two years in prison, on December 6, 2021, then again on January 10, 2022.

Violating the Import/Export Act and Telecommunications Act by possessing unlicensed walkie-talkies and signal jammers. Sentenced to two years and one year in prison, respectively, with terms to be served concurrently, on January 10, 2022.

Influence the electoral commission. Sentenced to three years in prison with hard labor on September 2, 2022.

Violation of the Official Secrets Act. Sentenced to three years in prison on September 29, 2022.

At least 11 violations of the anti-corruption law. Maximum 15 years in prison for each.

Diverting funds from the Daw Khin Kyi Foundation chaired by Suu Kyi to build a house and lease government-owned land at a reduced rate. Sentenced to six years in prison on August 15, 2022.

Accepting bribes totaling $600,000 (about £550,000) and 11.4kg of gold bars. Sentenced to five years in prison on April 27, 2022.

Misappropriation of public funds for the rental of a helicopter. Ongoing trial.

Accepting bribes totaling $550,000 (about £500,000) from Burmese businessman Maung Weik, including a donation to government agencies to benefit his businesses. Sentenced to three years in prison on October 12, 2022.

Suu Kyi’s party won the 2020 general election in a landslide victory. But the military took over of Suu Kyi’s elected government on February 1, 2021, saying he acted due to alleged widespread voter fraud.

Independent election observers found no major irregularities.

Two senior officials from Suu Kyi’s former government were co-defendants in the case and were also sentenced to three years in prison.

malek

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

GreenLeaf Tw2sl