AFP, Yangon, Thu Apr 28, 2022 12:00 AMLast update on: Thu Apr 28, 2022 03:04 AM

A Myanmar junta court yesterday sentencedAung San Suu Kyi to five years in jail for corruption, part of a barrage ofcriminal cases that could see the deposed civilian leader jailed for decades.

Suu Kyi has been in military custody since acoup ousted her government in February last year and plunged Myanmar intoturmoil.

In the latest case, the Nobel laureate wasaccused of accepting a bribe of $600,000 in cash and gold bars.

After two days of delays, the special courtin the military-built capital Naypyidaw handed down its verdict and sentence at9:30am (0300 GMT).

"Regarding taking gold and dollars fromU Phyo Min Thein, the court sentenced her to five years' imprisonment,"junta spokesperson Zaw Min Tun told AFP.

"She will be under house arrest. I donot know whether she asked for appeal. They are working according to the legalway. As far as I know, she's in good health."

Local media, citing unnamed sources close tothe court, later reported she plans to appeal yesterday's conviction forcorruption.

Suu Kyi still faces a raft of other criminalcharges, including violating the official secrets act, corruption and electoralfraud, and could be jailed for more than 100 years if convicted on all counts.

The 76-year-old had already been sentenced tosix years in jail for incitement against the military, breaching Covid-19 rulesand breaking a telecommunications law -- although she will remain under housearrest while she fights other charges.

She has not appealed any of thoseconvictions.

Suu Kyi has been the face of Myanmar'sdemocratic hopes for more than 30 years, but her earlier six-year sentencealready meant she is likely to miss elections the junta has said it plans tohold by next year.