[ NZ Herald ] Myanmar’s Aung San Suu Kyi faces bribery charge – with up to 15 years in jail most severe penalty yet

Myanmar’s Aung San Suu Kyi faces bribery charge – with up to 15 years in jail most severe penalty yet – NZ Herald

The Anti-Corruption Commission in military-ruled Myanmar has found that ousted leader Aung San Suu Kyi accepted bribes and misused her authority to gain advantageous terms in real estate deals, government-controlled media reported Thursday. Suu Kyi’s lawyers already denied the allegations when they were first raised three months ago by the military regime that toppled her elected government in a February coup.

The Anti-Corruption Commission in military-ruled Myanmar has found that ousted leader Aung San Suu Kyi accepted bribes and misused her authority to gain advantageous terms in real estate deals, government-controlled media reported Thursday.

Suu Kyi’s lawyers already denied the allegations when they were first raised three months ago by the military regime that toppled her elected government in a February coup. The commission’s findings come as prosecutors are set to present their case on separate charges against Suu Kyi in court on Monday.

Suu Kyi’s supporters say all of the charges are politically motivated and an attempt to discredit her and legitimise the military’s seizure of power. The coup has been wildly unpopular among Myanmar’s people, who voted overwhelmingly for Suu Kyi’s National League for Democracy party in last year’s general election after a first five-year term in office.

If convicted of any of the offences, Suu Kyi could be banned from running in the next election, should there be one. The junta has claimed it will hold new elections, within the next year or two, but the country’s military has a long history of promising elections and not following through.