Ousted Myanmar leader Aung San Suu Kyi sentenced to 4 years in prison

Myanmar’s deposed democratically elected leader Aung San Suu Kyi was found guilty of instigation on Monday and sentenced to four years in prison, a source with direct knowledge of the case confirmed to NBC News.

The source expressed concerns about Suu Kyi’s safety. When asked what comes next for the country’s democracy movement, the source said “hope for the best but prepared for the worst”.

The ousted President Win Myint was also sentenced to four years in prison, according to the source. There was no indication of where the two would be serving their sentences.

Hours after the sentencing, state television reported that the sentences would be reduced to two years.

The military overthrew Suu Kyi, the leader of the country’s civil government, in February. At the time, she had urged people to oppose the military takeover.

The United States, the United Kingdom and the European Union, who had previously called for democracy to be restored in Myanmar, condemned the verdict.

Foreign Minister Antony Blinken described the convictions in a statement published on Monday as an affront to democracy and justice.

“The regime’s continued disregard for the rule of law and the widespread use of force against the Burmese people underscore the urgency of restoring Burma’s path to democracy,” said the statement under the former name of Myanmar. “We urge the regime to release Aung San Suu Kyi and all those wrongly detained, including other democratically elected officials.”

The head of EU foreign policy, Josep Borrell, described the trial and the conviction as “a further step in the dismantling of the rule of law and another blatant violation of human rights in Myanmar”.

This was confirmed by British Foreign Secretary Liz Truss, who said in a statement that it was “a dire attempt by the Myanmar military regime to stifle the opposition and suppress freedom and democracy”.

The United Nations Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet, meanwhile, called the process a “sham” and said it was “politically motivated”.

“These cases cannot add legal paint to the illegality of the coup and military rule,” she said.

In a closed hearing, Suu Kyi, 76, was found guilty of instigating public unrest against the military and violating Covid-19 rules. Authorities issued an arrest warrant for their attorney, Khin Maung Zaw, in October, saying his communications could lead to instability.

The incitement case included statements posted on her party’s Facebook page after she and other party leaders were already arrested by the military, while the coronavirus charges involved a campaign appearance ahead of last November’s elections, which her party was more overwhelming with Majority won.

These are not the only charges against Suu Kyi taken into custody after the takeover. Judgments on two cases related to her alleged possession of walkie-talkies, allegedly found in a raid on her home early February 1, are due later this month. She was also charged with a list of other offenses, including illegal importation and violation of the Official Secrets Act.

The proceedings against them are widely believed to be fabricated to discredit them and prevent them from running in the next elections. The constitution forbids anyone jailed for a crime from holding high office or becoming a legislator.

Australia, New Zealand and South Korea have also spoken out against the military takeover and called for a return to democracy.

Suu Kyi led a civilian government after her party won a 2015 election proclaimed after the military resigned from half a century of direct rule. That ended in February when the military arrested Suu Kyi and other National League for Democracy Party officials after a November 2020 election that saw the military lose seats.

https://www.nbcnews.com/news/asia/myanmar-court-sentences-ousted-leader-aung-san-suu-kyi-4-years-prison-rcna7695