Myanmar Cuts Off The Internet Access Again, Aung San Suu Kyi's Virtual Trial Is Postponed

Aung San Suu Kyi (Wikimedia commons)

JAKARTA - The Myanmar court was forced to postpone the virtual trial for Aung San Suu Kyi. This is because the Myanmar military order has again cut off internet access in the country.

According to Reuters, Suu Kyi's attorney, Khin Maung Zaw, said that the authorities had postponed the scheduled trial until March 24. The Nobel laureate is also still in detention since the Myanmar military coup was imposed on February 1.

Suu Kyi herself has faced a number of charges. Military authorities also accused her of receiving illegal payments of USD 600.000 in cash as well as large amounts of gold.

"The ruling junta has shown its teeth and removed its mask ... they are showing their true identity", Khin Maung Zaw said of Sunday's violence.

Khin Maung Zaw complained that he was not allowed to meet with Suu Kyi, who has been detained since the coup. Although he said Suu Kyi was in good health during her last court appearance, via video link on March 1.

Meanwhile, since the enactment of martial law, four major cities in Myanmar, including Yangon, have temporarily stopped accessing the mobile internet network. Authorities will limit internet access every night in the next few weeks.

Based on the NetBlock Internet Observatory report, since the Myanmar coup took place, internet services have reportedly been disrupted. Even though there is a cellular data network, internet access has remained offline for the last few days.

Confirmed: Fixed-line (wifi) internet connectivity has been restored in #Myanmar from 6:30 a.m. local time after the 30th night of recurring post-coup shutdowns 📈However, network data show mobile internet remains disconnected for a second day 📵📰 https://t.co/Jgc20OBk27 pic.twitter.com/e5eBeaIHTT

- NetBlocks (@netblocks) March 16, 2021

As previously reported, Sunday, March 14 was the bloodiest day of the Myanmar military anti-coup demonstration. According to the monitoring group the Association for Assistance for Political Prisoners (AAPP), there were more than 120 people killed after military forces clashed with masses of anti-coup protesters.

Protesters demanding Suu Kyi's release and restoration of democracy have taken to the streets across Myanmar every day for about six weeks despite the junta's growing efforts to quell dissent.

Regarding the Myanmar Coup. 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 surrounding the Myanmar military coup by tapping on this link.