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Imprisoned NLD leader barred from travelling to Naypyitaw to testify on Suu Kyi’s behalf

Vice chair of the National League for Democracy (NLD) party Dr Zaw Myint Maung was denied permission by the junta on Tuesday to travel from Mandalay—where he is imprisoned—to Naypyitaw to testify on behalf of Aung San Suu Kyi in one of her ongoing legal cases. 

Judge Maung Maung Lwin read out Zaw Myint Maung’s medical records at a specially designated court during the State Counsellor’s hearing on Tuesday, according to a source close to the court. The 70-year-old chief minister of Mandalay—imprisoned in the region’s Obo Prison—has leukemia. 

The judge showed the defence side the medical certificate of a government health officer saying that Dr Zaw Myint Maung was suffering from “various diseases so he should not be allowed to travel,” said the source.

A public prosecutor from the military council then reportedly suggested that Zaw Myint Maung testify via a video conferencing platform instead of physically travelling to Naypyitaw.

The source said that Suu Kyi’s legal team had stated that they would determine whether they were in agreement with the suggestion at the next hearing on November 30. 

The team had submitted a request to the court on November 9 summoning Zaw Myint Maung to testify as a defence witness. He has been detained in Mandalay since the February 1 coup, and is facing charges of electoral fraud, corruption, incitement and the alleged violation of the Disaster Management Law.

The case in question against the deposed State Counsellor also concerns the Disaster Management Law. Her NLD government is accused by the junta of violating public health protocol in their campaign ahead of last year’s general election, the results of which were rejected by the military following the coup. 

Charges were filed against Suu Kyi for visiting NLD supporters in Shwe Kyar Pin ward in Naypyitaw’s Zabuthiri Township, allegedly in violation of the Covid-19 restrictions in place. Zaw Myint Maung also accompanied Suu Kyi on the trip. 

Tun Myint Aung, a resident of Lewe Township in Naypyitaw, is the plaintiff in the case. He served as the secretary of the NLD office in Zabuthiri until 2015. 

He previously confirmed to Myanmar Now that he made the accusations against Suu Kyi after being approached by the military authorities. 

If convicted, the State Counsellor faces up to three years in prison. She has been charged by the junta with at least 10 other crimes, including corruption and incitement. 

Judge Maung Maung Lwin announced during a hearing on November 9 that the defence had until December 7 to give testimony in the case. 

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