Myanmar’s ousted leader Aung San Suu Kyi sentenced to another seven years in prison

Myanmar’s ousted leader Aung San Suu Kyi was sentenced to another seven years in prison yesterday – taking her total jail term to 33 years.

The 77-year-old was convicted of corruption in a court session held behind closed doors.

It was the latest of a string of criminal cases against her, which human rights groups say are political persecution.

Ms Suu Kyi was the democratically elected leader of Myanmar for five years from 2015 until the army toppled her government in February 2021.

Aung San Suu Kyi, 77, has been sentenced to another seven years in prison on corruption charges

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She has since faced 18 months of trials on 19 charges, the final five of which she was sentenced for yesterday. These counts related to Ms Suu Kyi’s alleged breach of regulations in renting a helicopter for a minister in her former government.

She has been convicted of several other offences, including illegally importing walkie-talkies, violating Covid restrictions, breaching a secrecy law, sedition and election fraud.

The ousted Myanmar leader was in charge for five years from 2015 until the army toppled her government

She has faced a series of criminal cases against her, which human rights groups say are political persecution

Ms Suu Kyi is being held in prison in Myanmar’s capital Naypyitaw. Supporters and independent analysts say the charges are an attempt to eliminate her before an election next year.

Yesterday’s trial was closed to media, diplomats and the public. Phil Robertson, of Human Rights Watch, said: ‘Due process and a free and fair trial were never remotely possible under the circumstances of this political persecution against her.’