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BANGKOK: The lawyer representing Myanmar’s democracy hero Aung San Suu Kyi said on Wednesday (February 17) that he is preparing for the worst in a trial that he fears could last six months.
Lawyer Khin Maung Zaw is defending the ousted civilian leader, who was arrested during the February 1 coup on a shady charge under the country’s import and export law for having walkie-talkies in her home.
On Wednesday, the military regime struck Aung San Suu Kyi with a second criminal charge, accusing her of holding an election campaign event last year that the board said violated coronavirus restrictions under natural disaster management laws.
“We hope for the best, but we are prepared for the worst,” Khin Maung Zaw told AFP by phone, adding that he awaits a fair trial.
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The veteran human rights lawyer said he requested permission to speak with his client and receive instructions on Wednesday before the next court hearing on March 1.
“When will it be awarded? I don’t know,” he said.
Khin Maung Zaw said he was not allowed to meet with Aung San Suu Kyi in person and that he is concerned about the confidentiality of their discussions via video or phone calls.
“It is more appropriate to meet with her in person without anyone interfering,” he said.
“ANYTHING CAN HAPPEN”
At the next hearing, the judge, the prosecutor, and the defense attorney will discuss the complexity of the case and establish a time frame for the proceedings and the calendar of witnesses.
Khin Maung Zaw says that if the case is classified as simple, it could be concluded in six months, but if it is considered more complex, it could drag on for a year or more.
“Anything can happen in this country,” when asked if there was a danger of long delays.
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At Tuesday’s hearing, Khin Maung Zaw’s junior colleague was prohibited from being inside the courtroom with the judge and prosecutor, who could see Aung San Suu Kyi via video link.
“He was unable to see her because we were not allowed to participate in the video conference because we were not duly appointed at the time,” he said, adding that his colleague could hear the voices of the judge and the accused.
A United Nations special envoy attacked the “secret trial” of Aung San Suu Kyi and President Win Myint, who also faces the same charge under natural disaster management laws.
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They are both in a “safer place” and “in good health,” according to military spokesman Zaw Min Tun, who addressed the media in Naypyidaw on Tuesday.
“It is not as if they are detained, they stay at home,” said the general, who became the country’s deputy minister of information after the coup.
The United States and Great Britain condemned the new charge against Aung San Suu Kyi and renewed demands for his release.
More than 450 people have been arrested since the coup, according to the monitoring group of the Association for the Assistance to Political Prisoners.
