Naypyidaw: Aung San Suu Kyi, the civilian leader of Myanmar who was ousted in a de facto coup this year, was convicted on two charges and handed a four-year sentence that was quickly cut in half - in proceedings widely criticised as a further effort by the country’s military rulers to roll back the democratic gains of recent years.
They serve to cement a dramatic reversal of fortunes for the Nobel Peace laureate, who spent 15 years under house arrest for resisting the generals but then agreed to work alongside them when they promised to usher in democratic rule. The verdict was the first in a series of cases brought against 76-year-old Suu Kyi since her arrest on February 1, the day the army seized power and prevented her National League for Democracy party starting a second term in office. If found guilty of all the charges she faces, Suu Kyi could be sentenced to more than 100 years in prison. She is being held by the military at an unknown location - and state TV reported that she would serve her sentence there. That sentence was reduced to half hours after it was handed down in what the report said was an amnesty ordered by the country’s military leader, General Min Aung Hlaing. The court earlier offered a 10-month reduction in the sentence for time served, a legal official said.
She faced an incitement charge that centered on statements posted on her party's Facebook page after she and other party leaders were detained by the military. She was accused of spreading false or inflammatory information that could disturb public order. In addition, she was accused of violating coronavirus restrictions for her appearance at a campaign event.
