Myanmar court defers first verdicts in Aung San Suu Kyi trial


FILE PHOTO: Myanmar's Minister of Foreign Affairs Aung San Suu Kyi speaks during an event at the Asia Society Policy Institute in New York City, U.S. September 21, 2016. REUTERS/Bria Webb

(Reuters) -A court in military-ruled Myanmar deferred on Tuesday the first verdicts in the trial of ousted leader Aung San Suu Kyi to Dec. 6, a source familiar with the proceedings said.

The Nobel Peace laureate, who led an elected civilian government that was ousted in a Feb. 1 military coup, has been held incommunicado and on trial since June https://reut.rs/3E7cXzT, with court hearings behind closed doors.

On Tuesday, the court had been due to rule on charges of incitement and violations of COVID-19 protocols under a natural disasters law, among nearly a dozen cases against Suu Kyi, 76, who has rejected all the charges.

The source, who spoke on condition of anonymity, did not give a reason for the deferral.

The court in the capital, Naypyitaw, could not immediately be reached and a spokesperson for the ruling military council did not answer telephone calls early on Tuesday.

Suu Kyi's supporters say the cases against her are politically motivated.

Neither the junta nor state media have provided information on the proceedings and a gag order has been imposed on the defendants' lawyers. Suu Kyi is also charged with corruption https://reut.rs/3o51L1j and breaches of an official secrets https://reut.rs/2Zxy2o3 act.

Myanmar has been in chaos since her overthrow, with the junta struggling to consolidate power amid protests, strikes and armed resistance by militias https://reut.rs/3o1SIhu allied with a shadow government https://reut.rs/3zWzZY7 in retaliation for the military's use of deadly force.

(Reporting by Reuters Staff; Writing by Martin Petty)

Get 20% OFF The Star Digital Access

Monthly Plan

RM 13.90/month

RM 11.12/month

Billed as RM 11.12 for the 1st month, RM 13.90 thereafter.

Best Value

Annual Plan

RM 12.33/month

RM 9.87/month

Billed as RM 118.40 for the 1st year, RM 148 thereafter.

Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel for breaking news alerts and key updates!

Next In World

ANC narrowly leads DA in early South Africa municipal election results
'A mandate for change': Democrats remake Texas politics in election rout
NASA's 22-year-old Swift satellite telescope falls from orbit in fiery finale
Democratic victories bring historic breakthroughs for women and minorities
Britain's October services PMI up to 8-month high
Canada's trade surplus widens in September
Zelenskiy hopes US election outcome will generate more help for Ukraine
North Korea says it tested air-defence missile, staged cruise missile drill
EU hosts talks on Ukraine's post-war reconstruction
U.S. stocks close higher

Air Pollutant Index

Note: API is calculated based on 24hr running average of the most dominant parameter.

Highest API Readings

    Select State and Location to view the latest API reading

    Others Also Read