Jan 10 Verdict Delay: Aung San Suu Kyi’s Court Plot Thickens
In the latest twist in Myanmar’s military drama, a military‑run court has hit the pause button on two of the cases that were slated to be decided this Monday. The verdicts that should have landed on January 10 are now postponed, according to a source close to the proceedings.
Co‑Charges That Could Add 100 Years to a Sentence
One of the delays involves a charge that looks straight out of a spy novel: possession of unlicensed walkie‑talkies. This isn’t the only snarky accusation—Suu Kyi faces almost a dozen other charges, the combined fine‑tuning of which could tick the clock up over a century.
- One case for “incitement” – already handed down on December 7.
- Another for flouting COVID‑19 restrictions – also convicted.
- And the walkie‑talkie hang‑up that’s now on hold.
Why the Military Keeps the Drum Beat
Supporters of the Nobel laureate say these hurdles are nothing more than political fire‑walls, a way to shut out a woman who’s been chatting with the world through her National League for Democracy for two decades. They claim the cases are as baseless as a sugar‑free coffee.
Historical Voice: A Woman From Freedom to Freefall
Aung San Suu Kyi was the daughter of Myanmar’s independence hero, and by 2010 she was finally out of house arrest. She led her party to a blockbuster win in 2015, only to be ousted in a February 1 coup. Now, after a brief stint as a two‑year prisoner in an undisclosed location, she’s facing another legal onslaught.
Myanmar at a Hotspot
Since the coup, the country has been a tinder‑box—hundreds dead, protests erupting, and the sound of artillery echoing in the streets. Against that backdrop, Suu Kyi’s court battles feel almost like a stage show, albeit a very serious one.
Feel free to drop in for the next episode: “Myanmar’s ousted leader Aung San Suu Kyi appears in prison uniform for first time in court.” It’s a subplot you don’t want to miss.
