Aung San Suu Kyi facing charges in wake of military coup

Police in Myanmar have charged the nation’s detained leader, Aung San Suu Kyi, with illegally importing communications equipment, according to multiple reports. 

The charges, which came two days after a military coup that resulted in Suu Kyi’s house arrest, allow authorities to hold her until Feb. 15 while an investigation is conducted, Reuters reported, citing police documents. 

Police said at least a half dozen walkie-talkie radios were found at Suu Kyi’s home in Myanmar’s capital city of Naypyidaw, equipment officials argued were imported illegally. 

The violation can be punishable by up to three years in prison, The New York Times noted. 

Suu Kyi and other members of the National League for Democracy party were arrested during overnight raids over the weekend. Military leaders had grown unhappy with Suu Kyi and her party in recent years, blaming her for what they allege to be corrupt election systems and ignoring human rights abuses in the country. 

On Tuesday, about 400 lawmakers were reportedly being held at gunpoint by guards at a housing complex in Naypyitaw and the military leaders announced on state television they intended to stay in control of the government for at least a year. 

After convening an emergency meeting on Tuesday regarding the situation in Myanmar, the United Nations Security Council did not issue a condemnation of the coup, the Times reported. 

President Joe Biden has threatened to issue sanctions against the country if military leaders do not release Suu Kyi. 

“The military’s seizure of power in Burma, the detention of Aung San Suu Kyi and other civilian officials, and the declaration of a national state of emergency are a direct assault on the country’s transition to democracy and the rule of law,” Biden said.