Aung San Suu Kyi: Myanmar democracy icon fell from grace. She was once regarded as a beacon for human rights – a principled activist who gave up her freedom to challenge the ruthless army generals who ruled Myanmar for decades. In 1991, Aung San Suu Kyi was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize, while still under house arrest, and hailed as “an outstanding example of the power of the powerless”.
In a recent judgement, Aung San Suu Kyi has been convicted by the Military Junta Court of Myanmar on five separate charges of corruption and jailed for another seven years. It was the latest in a string of cases brought against the 77-year-old since her democratically elected government was toppled by the country’s army early last year.
The ousted leader of Myanmar, Aung San Suu Kyi, has been sentenced to a further seven years in prison for alleged corruption.
In a court session held behind closed doors in the capital Naypyitaw, Ms Suu Kyi was found guilty of five counts of corruption, a source familiar with her trial said.
Aung Suu Kyi was deposed in a coup in 2021
In 2015, she led her National League for Democracy (NLD) to victory in Myanmar’s first openly contested election in 25 years. But she was deposed by a coup in 2021 when the military took control and arrested her and the political leadership around her.
It was the latest in a string of cases brought against the 77-year-old deposed leader, the last hope for Myanmarese peace-loving citizen. She now faces a total of 33 years behind bars.
On Friday, she was found guilty of offences relating to her lease and use of a helicopter while she was Myanmar‘s de facto leader, the source said.
Also Read: Japanese PM Kishida sacks 4th minister to tide over scandalous crisis-Who are these Uniform Church?
Suu Kyi was alleged to have abused her position and caused a loss of state funds by not following financial regulations in permitting Win Myat Aye – a cabinet member in her former government – to hire, buy and maintain the aircraft.
A legal official said Ms Suu Kyi received sentences of three years for each of four charges, to be served concurrently, and four years for the charge related to the helicopter purchase, for a total of seven years. Win Myat Aye received the same sentences.
Military dictators have ruled the country for a pretty long period
Myanmar has a long history of being ruled by military dictators. Regular coups and toppling of democratically elected governments have been the order of Myanmar. Min Aung Hlaing, the longest-serving commander-in-chief of Myanmar’s powerful military has wielded enormous political influence for decades.
In 2016, when Aung San Suu Kyi’s National League for Democracy (NLD) came to power, Min Aung Hlaing seemingly adapted to the change by working and appearing at public events with her.
Despite the change, he ensured the Tatmadaw – the powerful Myanmar military continued to hold 25% of parliamentary seats and crucial security-related cabinet portfolios while resisting the NLD’s attempts to amend the constitution and limit military power.
As Myanmar faces an uncertain future with the state of emergency, Min Aung Hlaing has cemented his power and taken charge of the country.
Keep watching our YouTube Channel ‘DNP INDIA’. Also, please subscribe and follow us on FACEBOOK, INSTAGRAM, and TWITTER
