Suu Kyi appears thru video

UN says at least 18 people had died in Myanmar protests

YANGON (AFP) — Myanmar’s deposed civilian leader Aung San Suu Kyi appeared via video in a Naypyidaw court on Monday to face charges the international community widely believes are frivolous.

Her lawyer, Khin Maung Zaw, told AFP the 75-year-old appeared healthy during the court hearing.

She has not been seen in public since the coup on 1 February.

Suu Kyi is facing obscure criminal charges for possessing unlicensed walkie-talkies as well as violating coronavirus restrictions by staging a campaign event during last year’s election.

The veteran human rights lawyer said he had been unable to speak with his client ahead of the hearing.

Security forces opened fire on unarmed demonstrators in four cities on Sunday, with the UN saying it had credible information at least 18 people had died.

One person among a group of protesters crouching behind rubbish bins and other makeshift shields in Yangon, the commercial capital, was shot and had to be dragged away by others, according to video footage filmed by AFP.

“We strongly condemn the escalating violence against protests in Myanmar and call on the military to immediately halt the use of force against peaceful protesters,” Ravina Shamdasani, spokeswoman for the UN human rights office, said.

AFP independently confirmed eight deaths in Sunday’s violence, although there were fears the toll could be much higher.

The Assistance Association for Political Prisoners, a reliable monitoring group, estimated that about 30 people have been killed by security forces since the coup on 1 February.

Suu Kyi, 75, was detained before dawn on that day, and has not been since in public since.