Suu Kyi to face court in person

OUSTED Myanmar leader Aung San Suu Kyi is expected to attend her next court hearing in person, her chief lawyer said yesterday, after weeks of stalled virtual proceedings over charges her supporters say are fabricated.

Since her arrest hours before a February 1 military coup, Suu Kyi has been held at her residence in Naypyitaw and faces numerous, mostly minor, charges, the most serious under a colonial-era official secrets act, punishable by 14 years in prison.

“The presiding judge declared that by the instruction of the Union Supreme Court, the cases were to be heard in person, not virtually by video conferencing,” her legal team head, Khin Maung Zaw, said.

Suu Kyi, 75, has been permitted to speak with lawyers only via a video link in the presence of security personnel. Her co-defendant is Win Myint, the ousted president.

Khin Maung Zaw said his team was seeking access to Suu Kyi before the next hearing on May 24, without interference of others.