Suu Kyi in good health but crisis rages
YANGON: Myanmar’s ousted civilian leader Aung San Suu Kyi appears in good health despite two months of detention, her legal team said on Wednesday as diplomatic pressure on the military junta ramped up.
Daily protests demanding the restoration of the elected government have been met with a crackdown that has left more than 520 civilians dead in the weeks since the February 1 coup.
The junta’s violent response has triggered international condemnation - and threats of retaliation from some of Myanmar’s myriad ethnic armed groups.
The US state department ordered the departure of non-essential diplomatic staff and their families from Myanmar, and Japan - a top donor to the country - halted new aid payments.
The 75-year-old Suu Kyi has not been seen in public since she was deposed by the military and detained in the early hours of February 1.
But a member of her legal team, Min Min Soe, was summoned to a police station in the capital Naypyidaw for a video meeting with her on Wednesday. Suu Kyi is facing a raft of criminal charges and conviction could see her barred from political office for life.
“The physical situation of DASSK (Suu Kyi) seemed good according to her appearance on video screen,” her legal team said.
Suu Kyi noted that during the meeting, police officers remained at the lawyer’s side, and guards monitored her at her end, the statement said, adding that the Nobel laureate had asked whether this was legal.
She faces a court hearing on Thursday, though another of her lawyers, Khin Maung Zaw, said it was likely to be fairly brief and deal with administrative matters. The junta is also probing Suu Kyi over allegations she took payments of gold and $600,000 in cash.
Japan cuts aid
The US said it had decided to pull its staff out of the country to protect their safety and security, while Japan has halted new aid to Myanmar, according to the country’s foreign minister, but stopped short of imposing sanctions.
“What stance is Japan taking in terms of economic assistance? There is no new aid. We are taking this clear position,” Toshimitsu Motegi told parliament on Tuesday.
But so far, the pressure has not swayed the generals.