Written by Rajlaxmi, a grade 7 student.

Just four months after the military coup in Myanmar, Aung San Suu Kyi’s trial has begun

Read about what happened in Myanmar here (the coup took place in February this year)

Who is Aung San Suu Kyi?

She’s a Burmese politician, diplomat and a Nobel Peace Prize Laureate.

Human Rights groups have condemned the trial. They described it as an attempt to stop Aung San Suu Kyi from running in future elections. Many supporters of Suu Kyi claim that the charges against her are widely politicized.

Aung San Suu Kyi has been under house arrest since the military coup and thus, only got to meet her lawyers twice. The lawyers aren’t aware of where she is being kept and can only see her for a limited time period. The lawyers will cross-examine witnesses over the allegations.

What were the charges against her?

She was charged with owning unlicensed walkie-talkies and violation COVID-19 protocols. Later trials will focus on corruption allegations, which carries a jail term of 15 years, and breaking the official secrets act, which has a jail term of 14 years. Furthermore, she is charged with violating import-export charges, telecommunications law and a natural disaster law.

Another trial began on 15 June over sedition charges. These charges claim that she caused political unrest and  inciting public disorder. If she is proved guilty of these charges alone, she will be sentenced to 14 years in prison.

Additional charges were later added. These charges claim that she illegally accepted $600,000 (4,45,80,840 rupees)  and around 11 kilos of gold.

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