Torture Scandal Military Knew of Coup... Arrest Awaited After Final Negotiation Failed

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kwon Jae-hee] Reports have emerged that Myanmar's State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi foresaw the coup four days before it occurred, after last-minute negotiations with the military collapsed on the 28th of last month.

According to multiple sources cited by major foreign media on the 10th, the National League for Democracy (NLD), led by Suu Kyi, secured 83.2% of the elected parliamentary seats in the general election last November. Around that time, the military continuously raised allegations of election fraud, deepening the conflict between the military and the ruling party.

Sources close to Suu Kyi revealed that her relationship with Commander-in-Chief Min Aung Hlaing had also grown distant, and they had not engaged in direct dialogue for several months.

Accordingly, Commander Hlaing attempted negotiations with Suu Kyi’s side through intermediaries in the capital Naypyidaw and the largest city Yangon. When these talks failed to produce satisfactory results, the military proceeded with the coup.

In particular, the breakdown of negotiations in Naypyidaw on the 28th of last month appears to have been a decisive factor in triggering the coup.

At that meeting, the military repeatedly demanded an investigation into the alleged election fraud, and when Suu Kyi’s side refused, the atmosphere reportedly turned hostile.

The military delegation harshly criticized Suu Kyi’s side, saying, "The military has been insulted," and "You are rude and ill-mannered."

They then issued an ultimatum to accept at least three demands by 5 p.m. on January 29: postponement of the second term parliament opening scheduled for February 1, dissolution of the election commission, and a re-investigation of election fraud under military supervision.

Because of this, Aung San Suu Kyi’s right-hand person, Cho Tint Swe, who attended the talks, was reportedly deeply shocked.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

On that day, Suu Kyi reportedly smashed her mobile phone, fearing it would fall into the hands of the military, as told by her close aides.

Following the breakdown of negotiations, armed vehicles moved around Yangon and other cities, and hundreds of military supporters marched through downtown Yangon. Trucks carrying military supporters also roamed the roads in Naypyidaw.

Until January 31, the day before the coup, the military and Suu Kyi’s side maintained contact, but it appears that Suu Kyi’s side had already accepted the coup as a fait accompli before the military’s ultimatum deadline.

Win Htein, a close aide to Suu Kyi and a member of the NLD Central Executive Committee, told major foreign media on January 29, "There is concern that the coup is imminent," adding, "We are packing bags and waiting to be arrested."

The military pledged to uphold the constitution on January 30 but moved troops to Naypyidaw the next day, and at 3 a.m. on the 1st, cut off the internet and launched the coup.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.