Myanmar Military Regime Sentences Suu Kyi to Another 4 Years... Total 6 Years (Comprehensive)

[Asia Economy Reporter Yujin Cho] The military junta of Myanmar's coup has increased the total sentence of State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi to 6 years by sentencing her to 4 years in prison for illegal possession of a walkie-talkie.

In addition to this trial, Suu Kyi has been indicted on charges including violation of export-import laws, election laws, and official secrets laws, and her sentence is expected to increase further in future trials.

According to the Associated Press on the 10th (local time), the Myanmar military court recognized the charges of illegal import and possession of a walkie-talkie against Suu Kyi and sentenced her to 4 years in prison.

This sentence is the second court ruling against Suu Kyi, who was ousted by the military coup and put on trial under house arrest.

Previously, Suu Kyi was found guilty of two charges, incitement and violation of COVID-19 quarantine measures, last month and was sentenced to 4 years in prison, but the sentence was reduced to 2 years.

The military claimed that the last general election was fraudulent and placed Suu Kyi under house arrest immediately after the coup on February 1 last year. Since then, she has been consecutively indicted on 12 criminal charges including incitement and corruption.

As the military government has consecutively sentenced her to prison terms in two trials, it is expected that long prison sentences will likely be imposed in upcoming sentencing hearings as well.

If all 12 charges brought by the military are found guilty, a prison sentence of over 100 years is possible.

Suu Kyi is known to have denied all charges applied to her during the trial. Local media reported that it is unclear whether Suu Kyi was immediately detained in court after the sentencing.

The Associated Press reported that the military's piling of various charges on Suu Kyi is intended to make it impossible for her, who enjoys high public popularity, to make a political comeback.

Before the first sentencing hearing, the New York Times (NYT) and others reported that there was no doubt Suu Kyi would be found guilty and that if all charges were recognized as guilty, she could face a maximum sentence of 102 years in prison.

The sacrifices of citizens by the Myanmar military are increasing day by day. According to the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (AAPP), which monitors the human rights situation in Myanmar, 1,384 people have been counted as killed by the Myanmar military, which seized power after the coup.

As the military intensifies its repression and armed struggles continue alongside the Civil Disobedience Movement (CDM), the number of victims is greatly increasing.

Since the coup, armed struggles by pro-democracy forces resisting military rule have been taking place throughout Myanmar, and the military is massacring not only armed rebels but also civilians.

On December 24 last year, at least 35 burnt bodies, including 4 children, were found in Moso village, Phroso Township, Kayah State in eastern Myanmar.

The discovery of 35 burnt bodies has intensified international criticism.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken urged the international community to stop selling weapons and technologies that can be used for both military and civilian purposes to the Myanmar military.

Josep Borrell, High Representative of the European Union (EU) for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, also stated that international measures including an arms embargo are necessary.