Myanmar Supreme Court agrees to hear Aung San Suu Kyi’s appeal

Wednesday’s Supreme Court ruling was not released publicly. Myanmar’s judicial system has little transparency, and all of Suu Kyi’s trials were held behind closed doors.

The 2021 military takeover was met with massive non-violent resistance, but it was put down by the military with deadly force and turned into widespread armed conflict.

The military-installed government has not allowed outsiders to meet with Aung San Suu Kyi since her arrest, despite international pressure for talks that could ease the country’s political crisis. Is not.

At least 17,517 political prisoners, including Aung San Suu Kyi, were in custody as of Wednesday, according to the Political Prisoners Assistance Association.

The Supreme Court has agreed to hear the appeal of the corruption case in which Aung San Suu Kyi was convicted of abusing her position, ignoring financial regulations and causing loss of state funds. She sentenced her to seven years in prison in December on five corruption charges for giving her Win Myat Aye, a minister in her former government, permission to hire, buy and maintain helicopters. handed down.

He also agreed to hear requests for reduced sentences in cases involving the country’s Official Secrets Act. Aung San Suu Kyi was sentenced to three years last September after being convicted along with Australian economist Sean Turnell and three members of her cabinet. appeal was dismissed.

Turner, who served as an adviser to Aung San Suu Kyi, and two of the convicted ministers were pardoned and released. Most recently, Kyaw Win, the former Minister of Planning and Finance, was also one of his more than 3,000 prisoners released on Monday to celebrate the traditional New Year holidays.

The Supreme Court also agreed to hear requests for reduced sentences for election fraud convictions of Aung San Suu Kyi, deposed President Win Myint, and former presidential minister Myint Tu. Last September each he was sentenced to three years in prison.

Suu Kyi’s legal team faces several handicaps, including the inability to meet with Suu Kyi for guidance while preparing her appeal. Since their last meeting with Aung San Suu Kyi in December, they have applied three times for permission to meet with her, but have received no response, legal officials said. person said.

Prison rules are to allow all newly convicted prisoners to communicate with anyone to arrange an appeal.

However, the Warden may refuse permission to meet if it is considered contrary to the public interest.