Myanmar coup: Aung San Suu Kyi faces new charge

Authorities in Myanmar filed a second charge against the country’s ousted civilian leader Aung San Suu Kyi, her lawyer said on Tuesday.

Suu Kyi was taken into custody on February 1 when Myanmar’s military staged a coup against her civilian government.

What is the new charge?

Suu Kyi now faces a charge of violating a section of Myanmar’s Natural Disaster Law, Khin Maung Zaw told local media.

Although further details on the charge were not immediately available, the violation has been used to prosecute those who have violated coronavirus restrictions.

The charge may allow her to be detained indefinitely without a trial, due to changes to the country’s Penal Code that the junta implemented last week.

The rule change allows for suspects to be detained without court permission in certain cases.

Suu Kyi has already been charged under the country’s import and export laws for having walkie talkies in her home that were imported without being registered.

What has the military said?

Suu Kyi’s lawyers and her National League for Democracy party have said they have not be able to make contact with her since she was detained.

Facing ongoing protests against the coup and calls for Suu Kyi’s release, Myanmar’s military said on Tuesday that she was “in good health.”

“It’s not like they were arrested - they are staying at their houses,” said military spokesman Zaw Min Tun at a press conference.

He added that Suu Kyi and President U Win Myint are being held at a “safer place for their security.”

Suu Kyi is believed to be under house arrest at her residence in the capital, Naypyitaw.