Aung San Suu Kyi facing new corruption charges in Myanmar

Myanmar’s deposed leader Aung San Suu Kyi as well as other former officials from her government are facing new corruption charges, the state-run Global New Light of Myanmar announced on Thursday.

According to Reuters, the state newspaper reported that the Anti-Corruption Commission said that the new accusations stem from Suu Kyi’s misuse of land for the charitable Daw Khin Kyi Foundation and accepting money and gold.

“She was found guilty of committing corruption using her rank. So she was charged under Anti-Corruption Law section 55,” the paper said. Under the law in Myanmar, Suu Kyi could reportedly face up to 15 years in prison if she is found guilty.

Khin Maung Zaw, the head lawyer representing Suu Kyi in many of her other cases, described the latest accusations as “absurd,” according to Reuters, noting that the corruption investigations were not before any court.

“She might have defects but personal greed and corruption are not her traits. Those who accuse her of greed and corruption are spitting towards the sky,” Zaw said.

The Daw Khin Kyi Foundation, which Suu Kyi chaired, was created in the honor of her late mother, the news service noted, adding that its purpose was to help develop education, health and welfare in Myanmar.

Suu Kyi, 75, has also been charged with breaking the Official Secrets Act and the illegal possession of walkie-talkie radios. She was overthrown in a February coup after the army accused her of cheating in the elections.

Her supporters have rejected the accusations, saying they are politically motivated.

More than 4,200 people in Myanmar have been arrested, charged or sentenced since the coup, and 815 have been killed by the junta’s forces.