NAYPYITAW, 02 December 2021, (TON): Myanmar’s junta laid a new charge of corruption against Aung San Suu Kyi, bringing the total number of corruption cases against the ousted state counsellor to six.

According to state media reports, the latest charge is related to the rental of a helicopter by Dr. Win Myat Aye, the former minister for social welfare, relief and resettlement.

The helicopter, which was rented for disaster management purposes, was allegedly improperly used with the approval of Suu Kyi and deposed President Win Myint, who has also been charged in connection with the case.

An investigation by the junta’s Anti-Corruption Commission found that Win Myat Aye used the helicopter for just 84.95 hours between 2019 and 2021, but paid for a total of 720 flight hours, resulting in a loss of more than $3.5m in funds from the country’s National Disaster Management Committee.

State media reported “he also allegedly failed to follow official procedures for the purchase of a helicopter, resulting in a further loss of 23 billion kyat ($12.9m).”

Win Myat Aye was originally charged in August under Section 55 of the Anti-Corruption Law, but Suu Kyi and Win Myint were not formally included in the case.

Both ousted leaders were charged under the same law at the Phayagon Myoma police station in Naypyitaw, where the charge against Win Myat Aye was also filed. All three face up to 15 years in prison if convicted.