Myanmar sentences Suu Kyi to more jail time for election fraud

A MILITARY-CONTROLLED court in Myanmar sentenced deposed civilian leader Aung San Suu Kyi to 3 more years in prison for alleged election fraud in the 2020 general elections, according to a person familiar with the matter. 

The conviction on Friday (Sep 2) was the fifth verdict against the Nobel peace laureate since the military toppled her civilian government in a coup in February 2021, said the person who asked not to be named as he is not authorised to speak to the media.

The latest sentencing brought Suu Kyi’s jail terms to a total of 20 years and she’s awaiting verdicts on 8 more charges.

Deposed president Win Myint and former government office minister Min Thu were also sentenced to 3 years each on the same charge as Suu Kyi. All the 3 leaders seemed to be in good health and Suu Kyi’s legal team is preparing to appeal the verdict, the person said. 

The junta led by Min Aung Hlaing declared the elections in 2020 as rigged even though international observers said it was mostly free and fair. Suu Kyi’s party had won more than 80 per cent of the seats in the elections. 

On the same day, the regime handed a 1-year prison sentence to former UK ambassador Vicky Bowman and her Burmese husband Htein Lin, a former political prisoner, for breaching immigration laws, the BBC reported. 

SEE ALSO

Myanmar military open to negotiations with Suu Kyi after her trial: Junta chief

DECODING ASIA

Navigate Asia in
a new global order

Get the insights delivered to your inbox.

They were arrested at their home in Yangon last week, and the junta court pronounced the verdict much earlier than expected. The authorities also warned foreigners to apply for visa extension at least 1 month ahead of the expiry date.

Major General Zaw Min Tun, the lead spokesperson for the ruling State Administration Council, didn’t answer multiple calls seeking comments. BLOOMBERG