The Final Verdict Of Incitement Against Aung San Suu Kyi Called To Be Read In Late November

Aung San Suu Kyi. (Wikimedia Commons/Obamoe)

JAKARTA - A final verdict on charges of sedition against Myanmar's detained civilian leaders, including State Counselor Aung San Suu Kyi, will be delivered by the end of November, court sources said.

76-year-old Aung San Suu Kyi, ousted president Win Myint and former mayor of Naypyitaw Myo Aung were arrested on February 1 when the military seized power in a pre-dawn coup.

In addition to the 10 other charges, including multiple corruption offenses, Aung San Suu Kyi has been indicted under Article 505b of the Criminal Code along with Win Myint and Myo Aung, in connection with two statements denouncing the junta issued by the National League for Democracy (NLD) party following the military takeover.

The date was announced by the judge presiding over the case at a specially appointed court in Zabuthiri Naypyitaw Township on Tuesday, after the prosecution and defense teams submitted written closing arguments, court sources said.

"This is the first verdict pronounced for the three defendants," one of the sources told Myanmar Now on condition of anonymity.

Myanmar's military regime imposed a gag order on defense lawyers Suu Kyi, Win Myint, and Myo Aung. Myanmar Now was unable to contact them for further information.

At Tuesday's court hearing, the case brought by a civilian against Suu Kyi under Article 25 of the Disaster Management Act, regarding alleged violations of public health restrictions during last year's election campaign, was also heard.

Aung San Suu Kyi took the stand to testify before the court as a witness, the source said.

The next hearing is scheduled for November 23 and the deputy chairman of the NLD, Zaw Myint Maung, will testify on Suu Kyi's behalf, the sources said. He is being held at Obo Prison in Mandalay and faces similar charges.

For your information, last Tuesday the Myanmar military regime also officially announced its steps to prosecute a total of 16 people, including Suu Kyi, Win Myint, Myo Aung, Zaw Myint Maung, and former election commissioners, for allegedly cheating Myanmar's election.

Suu Kyi, Win Myint, and Myo Aung reportedly told their lawyers the three had heard of the allegations but had not been officially informed.

Regarding the Myanmar Coup. VOI editorial team continues to monitor the political situation in one of the ASEAN member countries. Civilian casualties continue to fall. Readers can follow news about the Myanmar military coup by clicking this link.