The lawyer representing Myanmar democracy hero Aung San Suu Kyi said on Wednesday he is preparing for the worst in a trial he fears could take six months.
Attorney Khin Maung Zaw is defending the ousted civilian leader, who was detained during the February 1 coup on an obscure charge under the country's import and export law for having walkie-talkies at her home.
On Wednesday the military regime hit Suu Kyi with a second criminal charge, accusing her of holding an election campaign event last year which the junta claims breached coronavirus restrictions under natural disaster management laws.
"We hope for the best but are prepared for the worst," Khin Maung Zaw told AFP by phone, adding he is hoping for a fair trial.
The veteran human rights lawyer said he applied on Wednesday for permission to speak to his client and receive instructions ahead of the next court hearing on March 1.
"When will this be granted? I don't know," he said.
Khin Maung Zaw said he has not been allowed to meet with Suu Kyi in person and is worried about the confidentiality of their discussions over video or phone calls.
"It's more appropriate to meet with her in person without being interfered by anyone," he said.
– 'Anything can happen' –
At the next hearing the judge, prosecutor and defence lawyer will discuss the complexity of case and work out a time frame for proceedings and schedule for witnesses.
Khin Maung Zaw says if the case is classed as simple it could be wrapped up in six months, but if deemed more complex it could drag out for a year or more.
"In this country anything can happen," when asked if there was a danger of long delays.
At Tuesday's hearing Khin Maung Zaw's junior colleague was barred from being inside the room with the judge and prosecutor who could see Suu Kyi by video link.
"He couldn't see her because we weren't allowed to participate in the video conference because we aren't duly appointed at the time," he said, adding his colleague could hear the voices of the judge and defendant.
A United Nations special envoy has hit out at the "secretive trial" of Suu Kyi and President Win Myint, who also faces the same charge under natural disaster management laws.
The pair are in a "safer place" and "in good health", according to military spokesman Zaw Min Tun who addressed the media in Naypyidaw Tuesday.
"It's not like they were arrested — they are staying at their houses," the general, who became the country's vice-minister of information after the coup.
The United States and Britain condemned the new charge against Suu Kyi, and renewed demands for her release.
More than 450 people have been arrested since the coup, according to the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners monitoring group.
Myanmar protesters stage biggest rallies since troop deployments
Yangon (AFP) Feb 17, 2021 –
Myanmar's anti-coup protesters returned to the streets in force on Wednesday, staging the biggest demonstrations since troops fanned out around the country to quell opposition to the new military junta.
Much of the country has been in open revolt since the army deposed Nobel laureate Aung San Suu Kyi's government at the start of the month and charged her under an obscure import law.
Tens of thousands rallied in Yangon, some blockading roads with vehicles to stop security forces from moving around the nation's biggest city.
"We have to fight until the end," Nilar, a 21-year-old student who asked not to use her real name, told AFP.
"We need to show our unity and strength to end military rule. People need to come out on the streets."
In the second biggest city Mandalay, police and soldiers broke up a protest that had blocked the railway, two sources told AFP.
Yan Naing, a member of a local emergency rescue service, said security forces opened fire, though it was not clear whether rubber bullets or live rounds were used.
Wednesday's crowds came in defiance of violent efforts by the regime to bring resistance to heel — including use of tear gas and rubber bullets — following nationwide protests and a disobedience campaign encouraging civil servants to strike.
Protests over the previous two days had been noticeably smaller since troops were deployed around Yangon at the weekend.
There were anti-coup demonstrations across Myanmar on Wednesday, from the remote highland region of Chin state to a small town in the Irrawaddy delta where parading protesters hoisted Suu Kyi posters.
Outside the administrative capital Naypyidaw, tens of thousands of people marched through the logging town of Pyinmana carrying signs saying "Help Myanmar".
UN special rapporteur Tom Andrews warned that soldiers entering Yangon, as had been reported, could lead to the situation there spiralling out of control.
"We could be on the precipice of the military committing even greater crimes against the people of Myanmar," he said.
One young woman remained in a critical condition in Naypyidaw after being shot in the head last week.
Scores of well-wishers gathered Wednesday at the site where she was shot to hold a prayer session, carrying posters of her.
The military said a police officer had died in Mandalay after a confrontation with protesters on Sunday, adding in a statement: "Those who committed lawless action on the police officer will be dealt with as necessary."
– New charge for Suu Kyi –
The military has justified its power seizure by alleging widespread voter fraud in November elections won by Suu Kyi's party in a landslide.
After her detention in a dawn raid on February 1, Suu Kyi was charged with possessing unregistered walkie-talkies found in her home.
Her lawyer Khin Maung Zaw told AFP on Tuesday that Suu Kyi was also charged with violating the country's disaster management law. Further details of that charge have not been made public.
The disaster management law has also been used against deposed president Win Myint for an election campaign event that the junta claims broke coronavirus restrictions.
Her lawyer added that Suu Kyi and Win Myint, both of whom he has yet to have any contact with, were expected to appear via video link during a March 1 trial.
In a further sign of the military's efforts to stifle the protest movement, state broadcaster MRTV said arrest warrants had been issued for several popular actors, directors and a singer.
They are accused of using their "popularity and fame" to encourage people to join the civil disobedience movement against the junta, MRTV said.
And the country suffered a fourth consecutive night of "curfew-style internet shutdown" starting around 1:00 am on Thursday (1830 GMT Wednesday), according to NetBlocks, a Britain-based group that monitors internet outages around the world.
It said internet connectivity had dropped to just 21 percent of ordinary levels.
– 'Not what China wants to see' –
More than 450 people have been arrested since the coup, according to the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners monitoring group.
Western powers and the United Nations have repeatedly condemned the leaders of Myanmar's new military administration, which insists it took power lawfully.
China had initially not criticised the coup, which Chinese state media described as a "cabinet reshuffle".
However, Beijing's ambassador to Myanmar said Tuesday that the current situation in the country was "absolutely not what China wants to see".
