By Reuters staff, published by Swissinfo.ch and Channel NewsAsia
MYANMAR’S deposed leader Aung San Suu Kyi has had her sentence reduced from four years to two years after a partial pardon by the head of the military-appointed government, the country’s state television reported today (Dec. 6).
Earlier on Monday, a court in Myanmar found Suu Kyi, ousted in a Feb. 1 coup, guilty of charges of incitement and breaching coronavirus restrictions, drawing international outrage at what some critics described as a “sham trial”.
President Win Myint was sentenced to four years’ detention, Myanmar’s state-run broadcaster MRTV reported.
Both Suu Kyi and Win Myint will serve their sentences where they are currently being detained, an undisclosed location, suggesting they will not be sent to prison.
Britain slammed Myanmar’s generals after the country’s UK-educated ousted leader Aung San Suu Kyi was jailed for four years for incitement against the military and breaching Covid-19 restrictions.
Foreign Secretary Liz Truss said the prison sentence was “another appalling attempt by Myanmar’s military regime to stifle opposition and suppress freedom and democracy”.
The 76-year-old Suu Kyi has been detained since the generals ousted her government in the early hours of Feb 1, ending Myanmar’s brief democratic interlude that followed her release from previous lengthy house arrest in 2010.
The junta has since added a slew of other indictments, including violating the official secrets act, corruption and electoral fraud. The Nobel laureate faces decades in jail if convicted on all counts.
CAPTIONS:
Top: In this file photo taken on Mar. 18, 2018, Myanmar’s State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi attends the Leaders Plenary Session of the Asean-Australia Special Summit in Sydney. Photo: Mark Metcalfe / POOL / AFP and published by Channel NewsAsia
Home Page: Myanmar opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi sits before giving her Nobel Lecture at City Hall in Oslo on Jun 16, 2012. Photo: Reuters /Cathal McNaughton and published by Channel NewsAsia
(Reporting by Reuters staff; Writing by John Geddie; Editing by Ed Osmond and Catherine Evans)
Earlier reports: Asean-China summit held without Myanmar, Malaysia says
Myanmar junta ‘extremely disappointed’ over Asean summit snub: Official
Myanmar a no-show at summit after Asean sidelines junta boss
New Asean chair Cambodia to keep pressure on Myanmar junta
