Nobel Prize winner, pro-democracy leader Suu Kyi set to appeal against conviction in Myanmar’s top court
- Aung San Suu Kyi, 77, faces 33 years in detention – if her appeal is upheld her sentence could be reduced by 13 years
- Suu Kyi was overthrown in a 2021 coup after alleged election fraud – independent monitors found no major irregularities
Myanmar’s Supreme Court has agreed to hear appeals by deposed leader Aung San Suu Kyi and former president Win Myint against their conviction on corruption and other charges, paving the way for a review of previous rulings.
Suu Kyi, 77, had appealed against seven charges related to the purchase of a helicopter, election fraud and violating the colonial-era Official Secrets Act, according to sources with direct knowledge of the matter, who requested not to be named. A similar petition by Win Myint was also allowed, but the court is yet to set a date to commence the hearing of their appeals, they said.
Suu Kyi faces a total 33 years in detention after being found guilty in an 18-month long series of trials. She has denied all the charges against her. If their appeals are upheld, Suu Kyi’s sentence is likely to be reduced by 13 years and Win Myint’s by 10 years.
Major General Zaw Min Tun, lead spokesman for Myanmar’s ruling State Administration Council, did not comment on the court’s decision but denied the rumours that Suu Kyi was moved from Naypyidaw Prison to her residence in the capital.
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The development comes days after the junta announced the release of more than 3,000 prisoners as part of a New Year amnesty. It included pardons for 98 foreigners, but it wasn’t clear if any of those to be freed were political prisoners.
Suu Kyi was overthrown in a 2021 coup after the military seized power alleging widespread fraud in a November 2020 election, in which her party won more than 80 per cent of available seats. Independent election monitors found no major irregularities.
Since then some 3,400 civilians have been killed and more than 21,400 others have been arrested in a crackdown on pro-democracy movements. Four political prisoners, including a lawmaker close to Suu Kyi, were executed last July. More than 100 others have been sentenced to death, according to the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners.
