Myanmar: The trial of Aung San Suu Kyi starting next week | The story of Aung San Suu Kyi
The ousted leader has faced a number of charges, including illegal walkie-talkies and violations of federal secrecy laws.
The trial of Myanmar’s ousted leader Aung San Suu Kyi is set to begin next week, says a lawyer, a Nobel laureate who faces a number of threats including illegal and anti-coronavirus.
His trial is set to begin on June 14 and is expected to end on July 26, his legal team told AFP on Monday.
Myanmar has been in turmoil since the military overthrew the government on February 1 and arrested Aung San Suu Kyi and other elected officials.
But the military has lost control of the situation, which has led to frequent protests by civilians. At least 849 people have been killed and another 4,500 arrested.
Aung San Suu Kyi, 75, is currently under house arrest in Naypyidaw, the capital of Myanmar, and appeared for the first time on May 24 when he attended a 30-minute trial.
His lawyers were allowed to meet with him only twice since he was detained at home, and he was delayed for several weeks to be tried.
“We will get evidence from the complainants and witnesses from the next case,” Min Min Soe told AFP on Monday after meeting Aung San Suu Kyi in Naypyidaw.
The main charge against him is that he has violated the country’s secret laws and spent 14 years in prison.
Aung San Suu Kyi “asked (all) the people to be healthy”, Min Min Soe added.
ASEAN urges the military to release prisoners
The ousted leader spent more than 15 years in prison at home during a military coup before being released from power and took office five years later.
Min Aung Hlaing’s party leader has vowed to seize power by claiming the November election, which was won by Aung San Suu Kyi’s National League for Democracy (NLD).
The military has said it will hold new elections within two years but has threatened to end the NLD.
Delegates from the Association of Southeast Asia Nations (ASEAN) met with Min Aung Hlaing on Friday and urged the opposition leader to release all political prisoners, according to the regional council.
On June 5, the document said the delegates “called for the release of all political prisoners, including women and children and foreigners”.
ASEAN delegates also discussed establishing a “Five-Point Agreement” that was finalized during talks between a senior official and Southeast Asian leaders at talks in April.
The coalition advocates for violence, political dialogue and the appointment of a special envoy.
Myanmar crisis is also expected to be the topic of a special ASEAN-China summit from Chongqing countries this week. Foreign Minister Wunna Maung Lwin was also present at the meeting.
The Chinese ambassador met Min Aung Hlaing on Saturday.
China’s Global Times quoted a political leader who said Myanmar wanted to form a coalition. It also said that the ambassador said China was ready to help establish the agreement.
