Myanmar Court Extends Suu Kyi’s Detention, Delays Hearing for Two Days
By The Irrawaddy 15 February 2021
YANGON—A district court in Naypyitaw has postponed a hearing in Myanmar State Counselor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi’s case until Wednesday, despite her initial two-week remand expiring on Monday.
Daw Aung San Suu Kyi’s lawyer U Khin Maung Zaw told the media on Monday morning that he had been informed by the district attorney that the hearing was delayed until Wednesday, when her remand will end.
On Feb. 3, both President U Win Myint and Daw Aung San Suu Kyi were remanded in custody from Feb. 1-15 for further investigation by the Dekkhina District Court in Naypyitaw.
It was not clear why the remand was extended for another two days, or whether the move also applied to the President.
The duo has been under detention since the coup on Feb. 1. The military regime sued the President and the State Counselor under the Natural Disaster Management Law and the Export and Import Law respectively, two days after their arrest.
The lawyer said he was told by the district attorney that the case will be heard at the Zabhuthiri Township Court via a videoconference.
“He said during the hearing that Daw Aung San Suu Kyi will be asked whether she wants a lawyer to represent her at the court,” the lawyer said.
U Khin Maung Zaw said he hasn’t met his client so far.
“It’s important to meet her because I need to receive her instructions as her lawyer,” he added.
The lawyer said he planned to approach district police to arrange a meeting.
Since the cases were filed with the court, the international community has condemned them.
The United States said it was “disturbed” by the charges.
“We call on the military to immediately release them all,” US State Department spokesman Ned Price told reporters, referring to Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and the other civilian leaders.
UK Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab said Britain condemns the detention of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and other elected officials and demanded their immediate release.
In Myanmar, anti-coup protesters have thronged the streets across the country for more than a week to denounce the military regime and call for their leaders’ freedom.
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