Myanmar court finds Suu Kyi guilty of corruption, sentences 7 yrs in prison

A court in military-ruled Myanmar convicted the country's ousted leader Aung San Suu Kyi of corruption, sentencing her to seven years in prison

A court in military-ruled Myanmar convicted the country's ousted leader Aung San Suu Kyi of corruption Friday, sentencing her to seven years in prison in the last of a string of criminal cases against her, a legal official said.

The court’s action leaves her with a total of 33 years to serve in prison after a series of politically tinged prosecutions since the army toppled her elected government in February 2021.
 

The case that ended Friday involved five offenses under the anti-corruption law and followed earlier convictions on seven other corruption counts, each of which was punishable by up to 15 years in prison and a fine.
 

The 77-year-old Suu Kyi has also been convicted of several other offenses, including illegally importing and possessing walkie-talkies, violating coronavirus restrictions, breaching the country’s official secrets act, sedition and election fraud.
 

Her previous convictions had landed her with a total of 26 years’ imprisonment. 
 

Major General Zaw Min Tun, lead spokesman for the ruling State Administration Council, didn’t immediately respond to calls 

seeking comment.
 

The Southeast Asian country has been grappling with soaring inflation and shrinking foreign-currency reserves amid international sanctions following the military coup. 
 

The World Bank’s private-sector arm is divesting its stakes in Yoma Bank, one of the nation’s largest private lenders, while the lack of foreign loans has resulted in some projects being stalled. 
 

More than 2,600 civilians have been killed and over 16,500 others arrested in a military crackdown on the pro-democracy movement since the coup. 
 

More than 130 people, including university students, have been sentenced to death for anti-regime activities, and tens of thousands of political prisoners remain behind bars, according to the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners.