Deposed Myanmar leader Aung San Suu Kyi could face up to 15 years in prison when a court in the military-run country issues a verdict in the first of several corruption cases against her on Monday. Suu Kyi has been charged with offenses ranging from incitement and graft to violations of electoral and state secrets laws, which carry a combined maximum sentence of more than 150 years, since being forced from power in a coup last year.
In a series of trials that could last years, she has been found guilty of two lesser offenses and sentenced to six years in prison, leaving little hope for a political comeback for the country’s anti-dictatorship figurehead.
According to a source familiar with the case, the judge will rule on Monday on allegations that Ms. Suu Kyi accepted $600,000 in bribes and 11.4 kg of gold from Phyo Min Thein, a former Yangon chief minister who was once seen as her successor.
Ms. Suu Kyi’s protege, Phyo Min Thein, testified in October that he gave her money
Ms. Kyi’s protege, Phyo Min Thein, testified in October that he gave her money and gold in exchange for her support. Ms. Suu Kyi dismissed his allegations as “absurd,” which the junta broadcast separately on national television.
Ms. Kyi, 76, is being held without visitors in an undisclosed location. She refutes all allegations. The military has placed a gag order on her lawyers and has restricted information about her trial. The trial has been dubbed a farce by the international community. According to the junta, Ms. Suu Kyi is being treated fairly by an independent court.