Suu Kyi gets 5 years for graft

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

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

Suu Kyi has been in military custody since a coup ousted her government in February last year and plunged Myanmar into turmoil.

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

After two days of delays, the special court in the military-built capital Naypyidaw handed down its verdict and sentence at 9:30am (0300 GMT).

"Regarding taking gold and dollars from U 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 do not know whether she asked for appeal. They are working according to the legal way. As far as I know, she's in good health."

Local media, citing unnamed sources close to the court, later reported she plans to appeal yesterday's conviction for corruption.

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

The 76-year-old had already been sentenced to six years in jail for incitement against the military, breaching Covid-19 rules and breaking a telecommunications law -- although she will remain under house arrest while she fights other charges.

She has not appealed any of those convictions.

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