Worried That The Proposed Witness Could Be Targeted By Myanmar Military, Aung San Suu Kyi Chooses To Testify In Court By Herself

Aung San Suu Kyi. (Wikimedia Commons/Kantabon)

JAKARTA - Myanmar's ousted State Counselor Aung San Suu Kyi took a stand in court in Naypyitaw, denying accusations of sedition by Myanmar's military regime, the first time she was able to testify on her own behalf on Tuesday.

Suu Kyi has been charged under Section 505b of the Penal Code along with President Win Myint and Naypyitaw Mayor Myo Aung, who was also ousted, in connection with two statements denouncing the junta issued by the National League for Democracy (NLD) party.

He also faces 10 other charges and a combined sentence of decades in prison. In total, the Myanmar military regime filed 11 charges against Aung San Suu Kyi, which carries a sentence of 102 years in prison, reports The Irrawaddy.

His defense team told the court earlier this month they would not call witnesses in his sedition case amid fears that anyone who testified in his favor would be targeted by the Myanmar military regime.

During Tuesday's trial, Suu Kyi "was able to defend her innocence very well," said a member of her defense team who requested anonymity, citing Myanmar Now Oct. 26. Suu Kyi has successfully denied all the accusations leveled against her.

Lawyers declined to reveal further details of Suu Kyi's testimony, as the junta had barred her legal team from speaking to the media about her trial. Khin's main defense attorney Maung Zaw received a gag order from a local junta administrator earlier this month.

The order came after Khin Maung Zaw told media about testimony from Win Myint revealing to the court the generals tried to force him to resign on the morning of the coup and said "danger" would come to him if he refused.

To note, Aung San Suu Kyi and President Win Myint are being held at an undisclosed location and have been attending hearings every week in Naypyitaw at the court set up specifically for their trial.

Myanmar Coup. The VOI editorial team continues to monitor the political situation in one of the ASEAN member countries. Casualties from civilians continue to fall. Readers can follow the news covering the Myanmar military coup by clicking this link.