FIVE NEW CORRUPTION CHARGES AGAINST OUSTED MYANMAR LEADER SUU KYI

Sat 15 January 2022:

According to a government official, Myanmar’s military-installed government has filed five new corruption charges against ousted leader Aung San Suu Kyi in connection with the granting of permits to rent and buy a helicopter.

Aung San Suu Kyi, who has been detained since the military coup in February, is already facing five other corruption charges. Each is punishable by a maximum of 15 years in prison as well as a monetary fine.

Suu Kyi has previously been convicted of illegally importing and possessing walkie-talkies, as well as violating coronavirus restrictions, and was sentenced to six years in prison.

Her supporters and rights organizations claim that the military made up the charges against her to justify its takeover and prevent her from returning to politics.

The military government has rejected the criticism.

“No one is above the law.” When asked about the matter at a news conference on Friday, government spokesperson Major General Zaw Min Tun said, “I just want to say that she would be judged according to the law.”

Since the February 1 coup last year, at least 1,469 people have been killed and more than 11,500 have been detained, according to the Myanmar rights group Assistance Association for Political Prisoners.

According to a legal official familiar with the case who spoke on the condition of anonymity because he is not authorized to release information, the five new charges relate to the hiring, purchase, and maintenance of a helicopter.

In December, state media reported that Suu Kyi and Win Myint, the president of her government, would face charges under the Anti-Corruption Law for hiring a helicopter.

The Anti-Corruption Commission found that they abused their power and caused a loss of state funds by failing to follow financial regulations when granting permission to then-Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement Minister Win Myat Aye to rent and buy a helicopter, according to the state-run Global New Light of Myanmar newspaper.

Win Myat Aye is now the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management in the National Unity Government, which was formed as a counter-regime to army rule. The military considers the underground organization to be illegal.

Suu Kyi is also facing charges of bribery and abuse of power in connection with real estate transactions.

She’s also charged with breaking the Official Secrets Act, which carries a maximum sentence of 14 years in prison.

She and her colleagues will be tried for alleged electoral fraud, according to the military government.

SOURCE: INDEPENDENT PRESS AND NEWS AGENCIES

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

FOLLOW INDEPENDENT PRESS:

TWITTER (CLICK HERE)
https://twitter.com/IpIndependent