Aung San Suu Kyi appears in court as Myanmar fighting worsens

Aung San Suu Kyi, Myanmar’s deposed leader, appeared in person at a court hearing yesterday for the first time since her government was overthrown by the military in February.

Ms Suu Kyi looked in good health and held a meeting with her legal team for about 30 minutes before the hearing, said her lawyer, Thae Maung Maung.

The Nobel Peace Prize laureate, known for her long struggle to build democracy in the country, is among more than 4,000 people detained since the coup.

She faces charges that range from illegally possessing walkie-talkie radios to breaking a state secrets law.

Ms Suu Kyi’s court appearance follows an increase in fighting as a national protest movement merges with insurgencies led by marginalised ethnic groups.

A harsh government crackdown has led to at least 815 deaths, according to a local monitoring group.

The violence pushed some in the anti-junta movement to form a so-called people’s defence force made up of civilians who fight back against the security forces with homemade weapons.

There were clashes in eastern Myanmar at the weekend, particularly in Kayah state’s Demoso town, and in neighbouring Shan state.

The fighting continued through Sunday night, according to a senior leader of the Karenni National Progressive Party – an ethnic armed group with a stronghold in Kayah state.

He confirmed that the military was using tanks, helicopters and mortars in Demoso and Loikaw, the capital of Kayah state.