Aung San Suu Kyi has been sentenced to four years in prison for incitement and breaking Covid restrictions – the first verdict to be handed down to Myanmar’s ousted leader since the junta seized power in February.
The 76-year-old has been accused of a series of offences – from unlawful possession of walkie-talkies to breaches of the Official Secrets Act – that could amount to decades-long prison sentences. Her lawyer has previously described the cases as “absurd”.
The incitement case reportedly centred on a statement, published online following the February coup, which had urged international organisations not to cooperate with the junta. The second case alleged that she had broken Covid rules while campaigning beore last year’s election.
The former president Win Myint was sentenced to four years on the same charges. Myo Aung, the former mayor of Naypyitaw, was sentenced to two years for incitement.
