BANGKOK --
Ousted Myanmar chief Aung San Suu Kyi went on trial on Monday on election fraud prices, the most recent in a collection of legal prosecutions by the military-run authorities during which she has already been sentenced to 6 years in jail.
The military seized energy and arrested Suu Kyi in February final yr, claiming widespread voter fraud within the 2020 basic election, an allegation not corroborated by unbiased election observers. Suu Kyi's Nationwide League for Democracy occasion received the election by a landslide, whereas the military-backed occasion did poorly.
The navy's takeover prompted widespread peaceable protests and civil disobedience that safety forces suppressed with deadly drive.
About 1,500 civilians have been killed, in line with the Help Affiliation for Political Prisoners. Some opponents of the navy have turned to armed resistance in response.
Suu Kyi, 76, has confronted a raft of prices since she was taken into custody. Her supporters and human rights teams say the circumstances in opposition to her are baseless and have been contrived to bar her return to politics and participation in a brand new election the military has promised by 2023.
The entire trials are closed, and a gag order has been positioned on the protection attorneys.
The election fraud cost in opposition to Suu Kyi was filed in November final yr by the state election fee, whose members have been appointed by the navy authorities. Former President Win Myint and former Minister of the President's Workplace Min Thu are co-defendants on this case.
A conviction within the case may result in Suu Kyi's occasion being dissolved and unable to take part in a brand new election.
The Union Election Fee mentioned the defendants, together with the previous chairman of the fee, have been "concerned in electoral processes, election fraud and lawless actions" associated to the polls.
A authorized official acquainted with Monday's proceedings mentioned Aung Myo Lwin, a director of the election fee, testified that Suu Kyi and her co-defendants illegally organized election committees during which state and regional ministers have been included.
The authorized official, who spoke on situation of anonymity as a result of he isn't licensed to launch data, mentioned Suu Kyi and the opposite defendants seemed to be in good well being in courtroom.
The trial is being held within the capital, Naypyitaw, and the penalty for the offense is three years' imprisonment. The case is being prosecuted not below the Election Regulation, however below Part 130(A) of the Penal Code protecting abuse of energy in violation of provisions within the structure and acts of Parliament.
Suu Kyi has already been sentenced to 6 years' imprisonment after being convicted of illegally importing and possessing walkie-talkies and violating coronavirus restrictions.
She can be being tried on the cost of violating the Official Secrets and techniques Act, which carries a most sentence of 14 years, and 5 circumstances below anti-corruption legal guidelines, which carry a most sentence of 15 years every.
Hearings on 5 further corruption prices associated to granting permission to lease and purchase a helicopter haven't but began, and police earlier this month filed an eleventh corruption cost in opposition to her.
FILE - On this Jan 27, 2021, file photograph, Myanmar chief Aung San Suu Kyi watches the vaccination of well being staff at hospital in Naypyitaw, Myanmar. (AP Picture/Aung Shine Oo, File)
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