World: Myanmar’s ousted civilian leader Aung San Suu Kyi attended a court hearing on Monday. This is identified as her first appearance in court since the coup on February 1.
Suu Kyi, who has been detained since the coup, looked in good health and held a face-to-face meeting with her legal team for about 30 minutes before the hearing in the capital, Naypyidaw, her lawyer Thae Maung reported. Since the coup; Suu Kyi was permitted to speak with her lawyers only via video conferencing in presence of security personnel. She later proceeded for her hearing at a special court set up near her residence in the capital Naypyidaw from 10:30 am to 11:00 am.
Last week, military-appointed commission chairman Thein Soe announced the dissolution of NLD, headed by former state counsellor Suu, for alleged election fraud. Suu Kyi and President Win Myint along with other accused top officials have been placed under house arrest.
Suu Kyi, 75, a Nobel Peace Prize laureate is facing a total of five charges ranging from illegally possessing walkie-talkie radios to violating the official secrets act -the most serious charge which carries a potential prison sentence of up to 14 years.
Last month, Suu attended a virtual hearing in Myanmar’s capital Naypyidaw where her lawyer defended her stating all charges were fabricated. Nearly 4000 people have been detained along with the top officials since the coup.