Myanmar’s Suu Kyi could return home after verdicts, junta chief says

Myanmar’s State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi attends Make investments Myanmar in Naypyitaw, Myanmar, January 28, 2019. REUTERS/Ann Wang/File Photograph

Aug 19 (Reuters) – Myanmar’s junta chief mentioned on Friday he would think about permitting deposed chief Aung San Suu Kyi to be moved to accommodate arrest from jail however solely after verdicts in a litany of instances towards her have been reached.

Suu Kyi, ousted in a extensively condemned navy coup final yr, was moved to a jail within the capital Naypyitaw in June the place she is being held in solitary confinement, the military mentioned. The Nobel laureate and democracy champion, 77, has spent round half of the final three a long time below home arrest.

For the reason that coup, Suu Kyi has been charged with no less than 18 offences starting from graft to election violations, and has already been sentenced to a number of years’ jail. She has referred to as the accusations absurd and denies all fees towards her.

Junta chief Min Aung Hlaing’s written remarks, learn out on state tv, got here in response to a request made by a high U.N. official who visited Myanmar this week and requested for Suu Kyi to be allowed to return residence. learn extra

“I’ll think about the matter…after the decision is completed,” he mentioned within the assertion. “We didn’t impose robust fees on her and confirmed mercy despite the fact that we had been in a position to do extra.”

Suu Kyi, the daughter of Myanmar’s independence hero, was first put below home arrest in 1989 after large protests towards a long time of navy rule. In 1991, she gained the Nobel Peace Prize for campaigning for democracy however was solely totally launched from home arrest in 2010.

Reporting by Reuters workers; Writing by John Geddie; Modifying by Nick Macfie

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