Ousted leader Suu Kyi accused of violating Myanmar’s secrets law by junta

Civilian leader Aung San Suu Kyi’s lawyer said on Thursday that the leader has been accused of violating Myanmar’s secrets law, a colonial-era rule. 

Suu Kyi attended the hearing being held in Naypyidaw through a video link. She faces multiple charges that may bar her from political office, reported AFP. 

Administrative components of the case were discussed during the hearing. Eight defence lawyers were hired. 

Kyi’s lawyer Khin Maung Zaw said, “Daw Aung San Suu Kyi’s physical condition was good according to the (lawyer who saw her on-screen). She was smart and charming as always.” 

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He later told AFP that Suu Kyi has been accused of breaking an official secrets law in a lawsuit filed on March 25.

Lawyer Khin Maung Zaw said Suu Kyi may also be charged for taking payments of gold and more than $1 million in cash but was unlikely to be convicted for it. 

Suu Kyi and other leaders of the National League for Democracy (NLD) were overthrown in a coup by Myanmar’s military on February 1. She had earlier been accused of minor offences which included breaching COVID-19 protocols and illegally importing six handheld radios, reported the Guardian. 

The military crackdown on protestors in Myanmar has claimed 535 lives so far. On Thursday, wireless internet services were ordered to be shut down by the military to suppress communication. 

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The Myanmar Economic Corporation (MEC), a conglomerate previously blacklisted by Washington recently had sanctions imposed on it by Britain. 

The UN Security Council held an urgent closed-door session on Wednesday. 

Christine Schraner Burgener, the special envoy on Myanmar said,  “I appeal to this council to consider all available tools to take collective action and do what is right, what the people of Myanmar deserve, and prevent a multidimensional catastrophe in the heart of Asia,” reported the Guardian.  

The next hearing will be on April 12.