Former Myanmar State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi to appear in court facing additional criminal charges

Myanmar’s former State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi will today face additional criminal charges set by Tatmadaw, Myanmar’s ruling military junta.

Earlier this month, Suu Kyi was charged with illegally accepting $600,000 in cash and 24 pounds of gold, compounding her existing charges of sedition and violation of COVID-19 restrictions. Despite no direct evidence supporting the new charges being presented, Tatmadaw is ramping up criminal charges in an attempt to jail their political rival for more than a decade.

Despite widespread international criticism of the military junta’s prosecution of Suu Kyi, expect state courts to convict her guilty of the aforementioned charges, due to the Tatmadaw’s firm control over Myanmar’s court system. In the short-term, therefore, expect popular protests against the junta to escalate, with the likely possibility of violent government crackdowns. These developments mirror the February 2021 protests, which have resulted in over 700 dead protesters at the hands of the Tatmadaw.

In the medium- to long-term, the international community will likely increase pressure against Myanmar, ramping up economic sanctions. Despite widespread domestic and international criticism however, Tatmadaw will likely continue to entrench their firm rule over the country, made easier by Russia’s diplomatic and military support.

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