Myanmar junta shifts Suu Kyi trial to prison venue

Myanmar’s military rulers have without explanation ordered all legal proceedings against deposed leader Aung San Suu Kyi to be moved from a courtroom to a prison, a source familiar with her cases said on Wednesday.

Suu Kyi, a Nobel Peace Prize laureate who turned 77 on Sunday, has been charged with at least 20 criminal offences since she was toppled in a coup early last year, including multiple counts of corruption. She denies all charges.

Some media reported Suu Kyi had also been moved from house arrest into detention in Naypyidaw prison on Wednesday. Reuters could not independently verify these reports.

Junta leader Min Aung Hlaing has so far allowed Suu Kyi to remain in detention at an undisclosed location in the capital Naypyitaw, despite convictions for incitement and several minor offences.

The source, who declined to be identified due to sensitivities over the trial, said hearings would be shifted to a new special court in Naypyitaw’s prison.

“It is declared by the judge that a new building for the court is complete,” the source added.

The ruling military council could not immediately be reached for comment.

Suu Kyi’s marathon court proceedings take place behind closed doors with only limited information reported by state media. A gag order has been imposed on her lawyers, whose only access to her is on trial days.

It is not clear how much Suu Kyi knows of the crisis in her country, which has been in chaos since the coup, with the military struggling to consolidate power and facing increasing resistance from militia groups.

Western countries have called the convictions a sham and demanded Suu Kyi’s release. The military says she is being given due process by an independent judiciary.