Burma’s Suu Kyi denies fraud charge

BANGKOK — Ousted Burma leader Aung San Suu Kyi denied the accusations in an election fraud charge against her Friday at the prison court in Naypyitaw, a legal official said.

The army seized power from Suu Kyi’s elected government in February, claiming voting fraud in the 2020 general election, an allegation not corroborated by independent election observers. Suu Kyi’s National League for Democracy party won in a landslide.

A conviction in the election fraud case could lead to Suu Kyi’s party being dissolved and unable to participate in a new election the military has promised will take place in 2023.

Suu Kyi is being tried for multiple charges in Naypyitaw, including the electoral fraud charge.

The penalty for the offense is three years in prison. Former President Win Myint and former Union Government Office Minister Min Thu are co-defendants in the case.

The new state Election Commission accused the defendants, including its own former chairman, of being “involved in electoral processes, election fraud and lawless actions.”

A legal official familiar with Friday’s proceedings said Suu Kyi testified in the court that she did not go beyond the country’s constitution in holding the 2020 election and did not influence the Union Election Commission in that election, before pleading innocent.

Further details of what she said were not available because of a gag order on her lawyers. The legal official, who spoke on condition of anonymity because he is not authorized to release information, said Suu Kyi appeared to be in good health.