Myanmar police on Wednesday (3) laid formal charges against civilian leader Aung San Suu Kyi, the country’s state councilor arrested on Monday (1) by the military who took power in the Asian country. South East.
According to a document from the Burmese authorities, Suu Kyi is under investigation for illegally importing communications equipment and will remain in detention until at least February 15.
During this period, the police will “question witnesses, ask for evidence and seek legal advice after questioning the defendant,” the file said. If found guilty, the adviser, who won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1991, could be sentenced to three years in prison.
The Myanmar court charge said walkie-talkie radios were discovered during a search of Suu Kyi’s home in the country’s capital, Naypyitaw. The devices were allegedly imported illegally and used without authorization.
Myanmar President Win Myint, who was also arrested on Monday along with other political leaders from the National League for Democracy (LND), the main military opposition party, is charged with crimes against the management law disasters. Details of the lawsuit are not yet clear.
By shutting down the top civilian government and carrying out a coup, the Myanmar military took control of the country and ended the democratic transition that began ten years ago. The head of the armed forces said the seizure of power was inevitable.
“Despite repeated requests from Tatmadaw [Exército de Mianmar], this path was inevitably chosen for the country, “said General Min Aung Hlaing.” Until the next government is formed after the next election, we must run the country. “
According to Hlaing, holding a new election and tackling the coronavirus pandemic will be the priorities of the military junta that began ruling the country after declaring a state of emergency for at least a year.
In a statement, the LND said several of its offices had been invaded in different parts of the country and demanded that the junta that now rules the country recognize defeat in the November elections. The legend defeated the pro-military Solidarity and Development Union party by winning 396 of the 476 seats in Parliament.
However, the military claim that there was fraud in the elections and that for this reason they took control of the country. The regime claims that power will be transferred after “the holding of free and fair elections”. For a country that has lived almost 50 years under military rule, however, the promise seems vague and without commitment to democratic values.
The coup has been severely criticized by the international community. Political leaders of different nationalities have called for the restoration of the democratically elected government and the release of all civilian prisoners.
The US government determined on Tuesday (20) that it viewed Myanmar’s seizure of power as a coup, which in practice involves restrictions on the aid the United States provides to the country.
The Brazilian Foreign Ministry, meanwhile, does not mention a military coup and does not address political prisoners in a note published on the subject.
Itamaraty declares that it is closely following “the evolution of the decree of a state of emergency in Myanmar” and declares that Brazil expects “a rapid return of the country to democratic normality and the preservation of the state of law”.
Chronology of Myanmar’s political history
1948: Former British colony, Myanmar becomes an independent country 1962: General Ne Win abolishes the Constitution of 1947 and establishes a military regime 1974: Beginning of the first post-independence constitution 1988: The violent repression of demonstrations against the military regime generates international critics 1990: National League for Democracy (LND), in opposition to the regime, wins the first multiparty election in 30 years and is prevented from coming to power 1991: Aung San Suu Kyi, of the LND, wins the Nobel Prize in peace 1997: US and EU impose sanctions on Myanmar for human rights violations and disrespect for 2008 election results: Assembly approves new Constitution 2011: Thein Sein, retired general, is elected president and the military regime is dissolved 2015: The LND obtains the majority in both houses of Parliament 2016: Htin Kyaw is elected the first civilian president since 1962 coup and Suu Kyi assumes the post of State Councilor, equivalent to that of Prime Minister 2018: Kyaw resigns and Win Myi nt assumes the 2020 presidency: in the legislative elections, the LND receives 83% of the vote and defeats pro-military party 2021: army alleges election fraud, arrests LND leaders, seizes power with new coup