Ousted State Counsellor and Chairperson of the National League for Democracy (NLD) Aung San Suu Kyi is facing four new corruption charges, a member of her legal team said.
According to one of Suu Kyi’s lawyers, Min Min Soe, two new cases were filed against Suu Kyi alone, while one other charge was filed against her and Naypyidaw Mayor Dr Myo Aung, Deputy Mayor Ye Min Oo, and Naypyidaw City Development Committee member Min Thu. The cases were recently filed at the Mandalay Region High Court and the hearing has been set for July 22.
In the fourth case, Suu Kyi was charged with three other defendants, whose identities have not been disclosed.
“We’ve submitted the Power of Attorney papers today. We will know the details of the cases and who is involved after the hearing,” Min Min Soe said.
Last week, Suu Kyi told the court to cross-examine her to determine whether or not she was prosecuted in accordance with the law in relation to her previous charges, which appear to be politically motivated.
Related — Aung San Suu Kyi hints at unlawful prosecution following walkie-talkie trial
On Monday, renowned attorney and legal expert U Gyi Myint said it is the junta that violated the law by neglecting legal due process and slapping trumped-up charges on Suu Kyi.
“Everyone will be released if the charges against Suu Kyi are properly defended,” he said.
“They [military] detained citizens for more than 24 hours without sending them to court. The Citizens’ Rights Act requires search warrants, arrest warrants and these must be followed,” U Gyi Mint told Radio Free Asia in an interview today.
According to Irrawaddy News, lawyers said a court hearing has revealed that security forces illegally raided Suu Kyi’s home during the military coup and found only speakers, and not imported walkie-talkies, which are central to contentious charges for illegally importing goods and violation of communication laws filed against the ousted leader.
Before the latest four charges against Suu Kyi, she was already facing seven charges, including six brought by the junta and one brought by a civilian who accused her of breaking the Natural Disaster Management Law.
