Former State Counselor Aung San Suu Kyi has asked for assistance from her lawyers to provide her with money and food during her detention, all the while refusing provisions from the military junta in an apparent protest against the coup.
“We have to buy necessities every two weeks and now I don’t have cash left in my hands. So I want to ask for them through my lawyers, if possible,” Suu Kyi told her lawyer Min Min Soe after a court hearing on Monday in Naypyidaw.
Suu Kyi was asking for assistance on behalf of the nine people under house arrest with her following their detention by the junta.
“She asked me if I could do it. The relevant department [from the junta] said they will arrange it, but she doesn’t want it,” Min Min Soe told reporters after the hearing.
Suu Kyi’s lawyers said they are now in discussions with the junta to make arrangements for her necessities.
“The legal team will only consult with the families and will not accept donations,” Min Min Soe said.
In addition, Daw Aung San Suu Kyi asked her lawyers to set up a meeting with former President U Win Myint and Naypyidaw Mayor Dr Myo Aung at a court in the capital, though she did not go into what she wanted to discuss with them.
According to the court, hearings for Suu Kyi, who is on trial for five charges, including possessing unlicensed walkie-talkies and flouting coronavirus restrictions, will be held every Monday. The court is expected to deliver the verdicts within 180 days.
People in Myanmar sympathized with the deposed leader on social media.
“Tears welled up in my eyes as I read May Su’s transcript of what she said. I feel sorry as we can’t do anything right now,” wrote Sandar Moe on her Facebook.
“Her spirit is respectful. I’m crying. Let her lawyers inform the public how much she gets [from donations]. We are here to give her whatever she wants,” wrote another user named Myo Kyaw.
