Following Monday’s verdicts, court officials who did not wish to be appointed for fear of being punished by the military initially reported. Media and spectators do not have access to the trials of Suu Kyi and other overthrown government officials. Lawyers, previously the only source of information about court hearings, were banned from reporting by the military in October.
–
The verdicts were later confirmed by the Burmese state television, which also reported on the halving of the sentence of both convicts. The reason for the partial pardon is not clear from the information provided by the press agencies.
–
Both convicted politicians will serve their sentences where they are currently being held, indicating that they will not go to prison, Reuters reported. According to her, they are both in an unknown place. Earlier reports said the overthrown Burmese leader was under house arrest.
–
We strongly condemn this politically motivated verdict, which is yet another setback for democracy in #Myanmar ????????. The lack of due process shows a complete disregard for the rule of law. Czechia ???????? stands fully with Aung San Suu Kyi and other democratically elected leaders! https://t.co/bhjhSTpj8S
– Jakub Kulhanek (@JakubKulhanek) December 6, 2021
–
A military coup came in November
The Nobel Peace Prize National League for Democracy (NLD), 76-year-old Suu Kyi, won the election in November last year. The military coup came just before her government could begin its second five-year term. The military leadership justified the coup by holding the election rigged; however, independent election observers did not confirm this.
–
Suu Kyi faces several other accusations; the politicians’ lawyers reject them on the grounds that they are politically motivated. All of them are widely seen as an attempt to discredit her and prevent her from participating in the elections, the AP agency wrote. The constitution prohibits anyone who has been sent to prison from holding a high state office or becoming a member of parliament.
–
The United Nations, the European Union and countries such as Britain have criticized the four-year prison sentence, calling the process politically motivated, and calling for the immediate and unconditional release of Suu Kyi and other political prisoners in Burma.
–
Ten months after the coup, protests continue in Burma. Five people died in Sunday’s march against the military government and the release of Suu Kyi after a security car hit the crowd.
–
More than 1,300 people have died in Burma since the junta overthrew the democratically elected government and took power. The Political Prisoners Assistance Association (AAPP), which records victims of Burmese security forces, says another 7,750 people have been arrested, convicted or prosecuted.
—
