Myanmar court says Aung San Suu Kyi's last corruption trial to go on

Aung San Suu Kyi has already been sentenced to 26 years’ imprisonment after being convicted on charges of illegally importing and possessing walkie-talkies, violating coronavirus restrictions, and other counts of corruption.

A court in military-ruled Myanmar ruled on October 18 that the last trial for corruption of the country’s ousted leader Aung San Suu Kyi will go ahead after finding that state prosecutors submitted enough evidence to sustain her indictment.

Ms. Suu Kyi, who was arrested when the military seized power from her elected government in February last year, has since been charged with a total of 12 counts under the anti-corruption law, each punishable by up to 15 years in prison and a fine. The corruption cases are among several charges pursued by the military against her.

Explained | The legal battles of Aung San Suu Kyi since the 2021 coup in Myanmar

Rights groups and supporters of Ms. Suu Kyi say the charges against her are politically motivated and an attempt to discredit her and legitimise the military’s seizure of power while preventing her from returning to politics.

Ms. Suu Kyi has already been sentenced to 26 years’ imprisonment after being convicted on charges of illegally importing and possessing walkie-talkies, violating coronavirus restrictions, breaching the country’s official secrets act, sedition, election fraud and seven other counts of corruption.

The case the court considered on Tuesday concerned five counts of corruption against her and and former President Win Myint related to the rental, purchase and maintenance of a helicopter by a third member of the Cabinet in her former government. Ms. Suu Kyi was the de facto head of government, holding the title of State Counsellor.

The state-run Global New Light of Myanmar newspaper reported in December that the Anti-Corruption Commission found that she and Win Myint abused their power and caused a loss of state funds and property by neglecting to follow financial regulations in granting permission to then-Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement Minister Win Myat Aye to rent and buy a helicopter.