Myanmar’s ousted State Counselor Aung San Suu Kyi took the stand at a court in Naypyitaw on Tuesday to deny a charge of incitement made by the junta, the first time she has been able to testify on her own behalf since she was detained during the February 1 coup.
Suu Kyi has been charged under Section 505b of the Penal Code along with ousted President Win Myint and ousted Naypyitaw mayor Myo Aung in relation to two statements denouncing the junta released by the National League for Democracy (NLD) party.
She also faces 10 other charges and a combined decades-long prison sentence.
Her defence team told the court earlier this month that they would not summon any witnesses in her incitement case amid concerns that anyone who testifies in her favour will be targeted by the military.
During Tuesday’s hearing Suu Kyi “was able to defend her innocence very well,” said a member of her defence team who requested anonymity.
The lawyer refused to disclose further details of Suu Kyi’s testimony because the junta has barred her legal team from speaking to the media about her hearings; lead defence lawyer Khin Maung Zaw received a gag order from a local junta administrator earlier this month.
The order came after Khin Maung Zaw told the media about testimony from Win Myint, who revealed to the court that generals tried to force him to resign on the morning of the coup and said “harm” would come to him if he refused.
Suu Kyi and Win Myint are being held at undisclosed locations and have been attending hearings every week in Naypyitaw at a court set up especially for their trials.
