Myanmar’s police file charges against Suu Kyi

Myanmar’s police have filed charges against the overthrown de-facto leader Aung San Suu Kyi and sought her detention until mid-February for investigation in the wake of a recent military coup.

According to reports, the 75-year-old was charged on Wednesday for illegally importing communications equipment.

Security forces claimed walkie-talkie radios had been found in a search of her home in the capital Naypyidaw.

Police also filed a request with a court asking Suu Kyi’s detention “in order to question witnesses, request evidence and seek legal counsel after questioning the defendant.”

The notorious import-export act was always used under the former military regime to imprison political prisoners.

Separately, police filed charges against ousted President Win Myint for offences under the Disaster Management Law.

Suu Kyi’s National League for Democracy (NLD) party said its offices had been raided in several regions.

Army chief Min Aung Hlaing seized power in the early hours of February 1, alleging fraud in the November 8 election, which the NLD won in a landslide.

People in Myanmar’s largest city, Yangon, say they would display opposition to the coup by banging pans on Wednesday night. People all across the country were expected to join in on balconies as part of a campaign of civil disobedience urged by Suu Kyi.

Meanwhile, foreign ministers from the Group of Seven (G7) major industrialized countries on Wednesday expressed deep concern about the coup.

The military accuses NLD of massive voter fraud in the 2020 elections.

Myanmar was ruled by the military until 2011, when Suu Kyi ended the junta rule and introduced what were presented as reforms.

SS