Myanmar's ousted leader Aung San Suu Kyi will appear in court on Monday on charges that many observers have criticized as an attempt by the junta to depose her to authorize democratic elections and crippled her political future.
The prosecution of Suu Kyi poses the biggest challenge to the 75-year-old and her National League for Democracy party since a military coup in February that prevented them from taking office for a fifth five-year term after last year's landslide election victory.
The army seized power on 1 February before new lawmakers could take their seats, and arrested Suu Kyi, who holds the post of the special counsel, and President Win Myint, among other members. in her government and ruling party. The coup reversed years of slow progress towards more democracy for Myanmar.
Human Rights Watch alleges that the allegations being heard in a special court in the capital Naypyitaw are "bogus and politically motivated" to nullify victory and prevent Suu Kyi from winning.
Phil Robertson told Reuters, "This trial is clearly the opening salvo in an overall strategy to neuter Suu Kyi and the National League for Democracy party as a force that can challenge the military rule in the future."
The administration has announced it will hold new elections within the next year or two but the country's military has a long history of promising elections and not following through. Myanmar was military-ruled for 50 years after the 1962 coup Suu Kyi was placed under house arrest for 15 years after the failed 1988 uprising.
Suu Kyi is facing charges of illegally importing radios for use by her bodyguards, using an unlicensed radio, and spreading information that could cause alarm or instability. His lawyers said on Sunday that she had violated the Disaster Management Act twice during the 2020 election campaign for allegedly violating pandemic restrictions.
Two other serious charges are dealt with separately. Suu Kyi is accused of violating the colonial-era Official Secrets Act, which carries a maximum sentence of 14 years, and police filed a complaint last week, alleging that political officials convicted of bribery would face charges under part of the Anti-Corruption Act. up to 15 years in prison and fines.
Robertson said: "All of these charges should be dropped, leading to her immediate and unconditional release. But sadly, with restrictions on her access to an attorney, and the case being heard before an entirely military court, there is little chance she will get a fair trial."
Although Suu Kyi faced her first charges just days after the coup, she was not allowed to immediately consult with her lawyers. It was only on May 24, when she made her actual first appearance in court, that she was allowed the first of two brief meetings with them at the pre-trial hearings. Her only previous court appearance was by video link.
-- With PTI inputs
