Myanmar Military Postpones Sentencing on Suu Kyi's Corruption Charges

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Cho Hyun-ui] The sentencing trial for Aung San Suu Kyi, the State Counsellor under house arrest by the Myanmar military junta, on corruption charges has been postponed.

Military spokesperson Zaw Min Tun told AFP on the 25th, "There was no sentencing today." The sentencing trial was related to allegations that Suu Kyi received $600,000 (approximately 750 million KRW) and 11.4 kg of gold as bribes from former Yangon Chief Minister Phyo Min Thein.

Suu Kyi denies the charges brought by the military. If found guilty of bribery, she could face up to 15 years in prison.

The military claimed that the November 2020 general election, which the civilian government won, was fraudulent, and immediately after the coup on February 1 last year, placed Suu Kyi under house arrest and filed over ten criminal charges against her.

Suu Kyi denies all charges. Local media explained, "If all charges result in convictions, she could face over 170 years in prison."

Earlier, in early December last year, Suu Kyi was sentenced to four years in prison for incitement and violating COVID-19 prevention measures, which was later reduced to two years. In January this year, she was sentenced to an additional four years for illegal import and possession of walkie-talkies and another violation of COVID-19 prevention measures, bringing her total prison sentence to six years so far.

The military is reportedly planning for Suu Kyi to serve her prison sentence at the house arrest location. However, the military remains silent on the exact location where she is under house arrest.

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