Deposed Myanmar government leader Aung San Suu Kyi has been sentenced to five years in prison in the first of 11 corruption cases against her. Sources surrounding the trial reported this to international news agencies on Wednesday. It is unclear whether Suu Kyi, who is serving previous convictions in an unknown location, will be sent to prison. The case in the military court in Naypyidaw took place behind closed doors and lawyers for Suu Kyi are not allowed to talk to the press.
Suu Kyi, 76, has allegedly received $600,000 in cash and 11.4 kilograms of gold from the head of Yangon, the country’s largest city, according to a court. Phyo Min Thein, from whom Suu Kyi is said to have received the bribe, maintained a good relationship with her for years and was even named as Suu Kyi’s successor until he accused her of corruption last year.
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Suu Kyi was recently sentenced to a total of six years in prison for violating the corona rules and illegally importing and possessing walkie-talkies. Suu Kyi herself denies all charges, calling the allegations “absurd”. According to her supporter, the convictions were made up by the junta with the sole purpose of keeping her in captivity for life.
Suu Kyi led the Myanmar government from 2016 to February 2021, until a military coup took place in the country. Suu Kyi had won the election shortly before the coup and appeared to be preparing for another term. The army said there had been fraud in the elections, although international observers had found no abuses. Suu Kyi has been a key figure in the Myanmar opposition since the late 1980s, when the Southeast Asian country was also led by a military dictatorship.