Suu Kyi faces five new corruption charges

Myanmar’s military-installed government has filed five new corruption charges against ousted leader Aung San Suu Kyi in connection with granting permits to rent and buy a helicopter, an official said.

Aung San Suu Kyi, detained since last February’s military coup, is already being tried on five other corruption charges. Each is punishable by up to 15 years in prison and a fine.

Suu Kyi has previously faced other charges and has been sentenced to six years of imprisonment after being convicted of illegally importing and possessing walkie-talkies and violating coronavirus restrictions.

Her supporters and rights groups say the cases against her were contrived by the military to justify its takeover and prevent her from returning to politics.

The military government has rejected the criticism.

“No one is above the law. I just want to say that she would be judged according to the law,” government spokesperson Major General Zaw Min Tun said when asked about the matter at a news conference on Friday.

The military’s seizure of power prevented Aung San Suu Kyi and her National League for Democracy party from beginning a second five-year term in power.