Aung San Suu Kyi denies electoral fraud charges in closed trial

17 July 2022
Aung San Suu Kyi denies electoral fraud charges in closed trial
Ousted Myanmar State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi. Photo: AFP

Ousted Myanmar State Counsellor testified in a trial on 15 July that the 2020 national election was conducted in accordance with the correct election procedures.

Aung San Suu Kyi, 77, testified in the closed trial in Naypyitaw that she is not guilty of election fraud charges and there was no improper use of voter registration. The process was done in accordance with the procedures and there was absolutely no interference in the preparation of the ballot, according to the people who attended the court session.

Aung Myo Lwin, the director of the Union Election Commission of the Military Council, brought the lawsuit against President Win Myint, Union Minister of the Union Government Office of Min Thu, and State Counselor Aung San Su Kyi under Section 130 (a) of influencing the Union Election Commission (UEC) in connection with the 2020 election.

President Win Myint testified at the trial on 8 July that he had not broken any laws in relation to the case. Union Minister Min Thu will be questioned in upcoming hearing.

If convicted under Section 130 (a), the sentence is three years imprisonment, and a possible fine.

Aung San Suu Kyi has already been convicted of corruption, incitement against the military, breaching COVID-19 restriction rules and breaking the Telecommunications Law, with the court sentencing her so far to a total of 11 years imprisonment.

On 22 June, the military junta transferred her to solitary confinement in a prison in Naypyitaw, from what was said to be a more comfortable form of incarceration including servants and her dog.