Myanmar’s Aung San Suu Kyi files appeal against conviction, house arrest

Myanmar’s Suu Kyi files appeal in criminal case

YANGON, Myanmar — Lawyers for detained Myanmar opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi filed an appeal Thursday against the criminal conviction that put her under house arrest for 18 more months.

A district court ruled on Aug. 11 that the 64-year-old Nobel Peace Prize laureate was guilty of violating the terms of her earlier detention after an uninvited American visitor stayed at her home. The court sentenced her to three years in prison with hard labor, but that was reduced to 18 months of house arrest by order of military junta chief Senior Gen. Than Shwe.

Suu Kyi’s legal team submitted the appeal to the Divisional Court in Yangon, which said it would decide Friday whether to accept the appeal, said lawyer Nyan Win.

“We submit the appeal because the judgment against Daw Aung San Suu Kyi was wrongful,” Nyan Win said. Daw is a respectful term for a woman.

Suu Kyi earlier described the conviction as unfair and the court’s assessment of the case as unjust.

The appeal argues that the law cited by authorities is invalid because it applies to a constitution abolished two decades ago, head lawyer Kyi Win said.

Before the submission, he voiced optimism that the court would decide to hear the appeal.

“I believe the court will accept our appeal and allow the right of appeal to our client,” he said, adding that the defense team will separately appeal the convictions of two female companions who live with Suu Kyi.

Nyan Win said if the Divisional Court does not accept the appeal, lawyers would appeal to the High Court.

Suu Kyi and her two companions returned to her tightly guarded home the day she was convicted. She has been detained for about 14 of the past 20 years for her nonviolent political activities, but this was the first time she faced criminal charges.

The American, John Yettaw, was sentenced to seven years in prison but was released on humanitarian grounds and deported on Aug. 16.

Suu Kyi’s sentence ensures she cannot participate in elections scheduled for next year. Her party swept the last elections in 1990 but the results were never honored by the military, which has ruled the country since 1962.