NAYPYITAW, 24 September 2021, (TON): According to Suu Kyi’s legal defence team “court hearings for State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi and her Australian economic advisor Sean Turnell for charges related to the Official Secrets Act began at a district court in Naypyitaw.”

Three of Suu Kyi’s Union cabinet members were also sued by the military council in Yangon’s eastern district court under Section 3 (1) (c) of the nearly 100-year-old Official Secrets Act in February, following the military coup that ousted her National League for Democracy government.

The cabinet members include finance minister Kyaw Win, his successor Soe Win, and deputy minister Set Aung.

Section 3 (1) (c) criminalises the possession, collection, recording, publishing, or sharing of state information that is “directly or indirectly useful to an enemy” and carries a penalty of up to 14 years in prison if the defendants are found guilty.

The junta’s Supreme Court took over the cases in late May and ruled on September 14 that the Dekkhina District Court in Naypyitaw would preside over the hearings.

The head of Suu Kyi’s defence team, Khin Maung Zaw, said “while Suu Kyi attended the 30-minute hearing via video link, the four other defendants appeared in person wearing full PPE suits.”

Lawyers representing three of the accused, but not ex-finance minister Kyaw Win, were also present at the hearing, which was overseen by Dekkhina District judge Ye Lwin, Khin Maung Zaw added.

He explained that all of the lawyers asked for permission to have attorney-client meetings to discuss the case. The judge adjourned, and next time will hear arguments from both sides.