BANGKOK: Lawyers for Myanmar’s ousted leader, Aung San Suu Kyi, said on Monday she told them some of the testimony against her was wrong in her trial on criminal charges that could send her to prison and end her political career.

In the trial, now in its second week, Suu Kyi is charged with illegally importing walkie-talkies for her bodyguards use, unlicensed use of the radios, spreading information that could cause public alarm or unrest, and violating Covid-19 pandemic restrictions during the 2020 election campaign.

Critics of the ruling military junta say the case is meant to discredit her and legitimise its seizure of power. The charges in the trial are relatively minor, but if she is convicted could keep her from contesting a new election promised by the military within two years of its takeover.

Published in Dawn, June 22nd, 2021