Myanmar’s detained State Counselor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi attended a hearing at a special court in Naypyitaw’s Zabuthiri Township on Tuesday, as she was feeling better. She was feeling unwell from car sickness on Monday, and had to skip the proceedings, which were due to resume after eight weeks of holidays designated by the military junta since mid-July.
Lawyers said they met with all three defendants—Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, President U Win Myint and Dr. Myo Aung—together for 30 minutes before the proceedings started at 9 a.m.
A member of her legal defense team said, “Today Daw Aung San Suu Kyi seemed quite relieved, but she said she was still somewhat dizzy.”
Her legal team said she was allowed to see a doctor, and everyone in the house where she is being detained was tested for COVID-19 again.
“She asked the public to take care of their health and said she is worried about the people’s health,” amid the ongoing COVID outbreak, the lawyer said.
The lawyer said arguments in the sedition cases against all three were heard under Section 505(b) of the Penal Code, and the court will give its decision at the next hearing.
Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, President U Win Myint and other senior leaders of the National League for Democracy were detained in the wee hours on Feb. 1, when the military staged the coup, overthrowing the country’s democratically elected NLD government.
She is facing six charges for alleged violation of COVID restrictions, possession of walkie-talkies, sedition and violating the Official Secret Act. The junta has also filed four corruption charges against her. She faces a potential prison sentence of 75 years.
In another case against Daw Aung San Suu Kyi under Section 25 of the Natural Disaster Management Law for alleged violation of COVID-19 restrictions during the election campaign, prosecution witnesses didn’t appear on Tuesday.
The lawyer said the hearing was adjourned to next Tuesday.
