Aung San Suu Kyi, Myanmar's ousted democratically elected leader, was found guilty of charges including incitement and sentenced to four years in prison, a source who knows of the case, has been confirmed by a source with direct knowledge of the case.
The source said they are concerned for Suu Kyi's safety. When asked what is going to happen to the country's democracy movement, they said they were hoping for the best, but prepared for the worst. In February, the military ousted Suu Kyi, the leader of the country's civilian government. At the time, she had urged people to oppose the military takeover.
The verdict was slammed by the U.K., which had previously called for the restoration of democracy in Myanmar.
Foreign Secretary Liz Truss said in a statement released Monday that the sentencing of Aung San Suu Kyi is another appalling attempt by the military regime of Myanmar to stifle opposition and suppress freedom and democracy.
The United Kingdom wants to release political prisoners, engage in dialogue and allow a return to democracy. The arrest of elected politicians is one of the risks of further unrest. Suu Kyi, 76, was found guilty of inciting public unrest against the military and breaching Covid 19 rules in a closed hearing. In October, authorities in the country imposed a gag order on Suu Kyi's lawyer Khin Maung Zaw, saying his communications could cause instability.
The incitement case involved statements posted on her party's Facebook page after she and other party leaders had been arrested by the military, while the coronaviruses charge involved a campaign appearance ahead of elections in November last year, which her party won overwhelmingly.
Suu Kyi was taken into custody after the takeover, but these aren't the only charges against him. Verdicts in two cases related to her alleged ownership of walkie-talkies, allegedly found when soldiers raided her home early on February 1, are due later this month. She has been charged with a number of other crimes including illegally importing and violating the Official Secrets Act.
The cases against her are seen as contrived to discredit her and keep her from running in the next election. The constitution bars people from being sent to prison after being convicted of a crime from holding high office or becoming a lawmaker.
The U.S. has endorsed the military takeover and called for a return to democracy, along with Australia, New Zealand and South Korea.
Suu Kyi led a civilian government after her party won a 2015 election called after the military stepped back from half a century of direct rule. That ended in February when the military detained Suu Kyi and other officials in the National League for Democracy party after a November 2020 election that saw the military lose seats.