Aung San Suu Kyi’s court hearing has been delayed until Wednesday, her lawyer has said, when she will appear via video link at a Naypyitaw court.
The detained leader, along with ousted president Win Myint, was due to appear in court on Monday after being remanded in custody for two weeks following the February 1 coup.
Lawyer Khin Maung Zaw said he had not been allowed to meet Suu Kyi or Win Myint and his power of attorney request has not yet been approved by the court.
Khin Maung Zaw told journalists in front of the Dekkhina District court that the judge had said the hearing was scheduled for Wednesday and would be done via video conference.
“The district judge told me that the hearing will be at Zabuthiri township court,” he said.
He was unable to confirm if Suu Kyi and Win Myint would appear at the same hearing or if they would be tried separately.
Suu Kyi is accused of illegally importing walkie-talkies that soldiers found in her home during early morning raids on February 1. She has been charged under article 8 of the Export and Import Law, according to a police document.
Win Myint, meanwhile, was hit with a charge under the Natural Disaster Management Law for breaching regulations aimed at curbing Covid-19 while campaigning in last year’s election, a separate document said. Both charges carry three-year sentences.
Khin Maung Zaw confirmed that he would be allowed to represent Suu Kyi, Win Myint and the National League for Democracy (NLD)’s patron Win Htein.
Win Htein was arrested at his home in Yangon on the evening of February 4 and taken to Naypyitaw. Sources said he would be charged with sedition under section 124a of the penal code.
Khin Maung Zaw said he still doesn’t know which court in Naypyitaw Win Htein will be tried at.
“I am legally allowed to see them as I will be representing them. I am trying and will also ask the district police force for permission,” he said.
Aung San Suu Kyi’s NLD party won a landslide victory in last year’s election, securing over 80% of seats across both houses of parliament.
As well as Aung San Suu Kyi and Win Myint, soldiers detained chief ministers and ministers and temporarily confined newly elected MPs to their living quarters in Naypyitaw.
Hundreds of thousands have taken to the streets in protest while thousands including civil servants, medics, farmers, miners, railway workers and bank staff have joined a general strike aimed at toppling the new regime.
A total of 375 people have been detained in relation to the coup as of February 12, according to the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (Burma).
