Unhealthy, Aung San Suu Kyi Undergoes Trial Of The Myanmar Military Regime For 5 Hours

Aung San Suu Kyi. (Wikimedia Commons/East Asia and Pacific Media Hub U.S. Department of State)

JAKARTA - Myanmar's ousted leader Aung San Suu Kyi will face the first trial on charges against her that must be completed within the next 180 days, Monday, June 14.

In the trial held at the special court of the Myanmar military regime to hear her case with President Win Myint and Council Chair Naypyitaw Myo Aung, Suu Kyi looked unwell.

Today's trial was held related to the cases he was accused of, namely illegally possessing a walkie-talkie radio telecommunications, as well as violating the corona virus health protocol, his team of lawyers said.

"Daw Aung San Suu Kyi did not appear to be in very good health but throughout the trial she seemed quite interested and took great care," said lead lawyer Khin Maung Zaw, in a statement after the day of the trial.

Suu Kyi's supporters say the accusations against her are politically motivated and designed by the military regime to end the political life of Suu Kyi who has fought for democracy for decades.

In addition to the two charges heard today, the special tribunal will also hear the Nobel Peace Prize winner's case on sedition charges that will be heard tomorrow.

Despite being unwell, Suu Kyi took part in the trial which lasted more than five hours, presenting witnesses Major Police Myint Naing in the case of violating the coronavirus protocol, and Police Major Kyi Lin in the case of possessing illegal walkie-talkies.

Meanwhile, Suu Kyi's team of lawyers has remained consistent from the start, rejecting all the accusations brought against her client, calling all the accusations directed unreasonable.

Last week, a panel of judges for the trial of Myanmar leader Aung San Suu Kyi ruled that the trial of her current case should be completed within the next 180 days.

Zabuthiri Township Judge Maung Maung Lwin made the remarks in his second face-to-face hearing on Monday, June 7, since he and members of his cabinet were first indicted on February 16.

Aung Suu Kyi faces a total of six charges, five in Naypyitaw and one in Yangon with a sentence of 26 years awaiting her. The trial deadline set applies to cases tried in Naypyitaw.

"Starting next week, hearings will take place every Monday and Tuesday, with the court finalizing the plaintiff's questions on June 28," the judge said at the trial.

The Myanmar Coup. The editor of VOI continues to monitor the political situation in one of the ASEAN member countries. Civilian casualties continued to fall. Readers can follow news about the Myanmar military coup by tapping this link.