MANDALAY, Myanmar (AP) – A construction tycoon in Myanmar with links to military leaders says he has personally given more than half a million dollars in cash to ousted leader Aung San Suu Kyi in a state television show intended to discredit the dismissed civilian government.
Maung Waik’s statement could pave the way for more serious accusations against Suu Kyi, who has been detained since the February 1 military takeover, as security forces increasingly use lethal force against a popular uprising calling for re-establishment. democratically elected leaders.
The military has already tried to implicate Suu Kyi in corruption, claiming that she was given $ 600,000 plus gold bars by a political ally. She and President Win Myint have so far been accused of inciting unrest, owning a walkie-talkie and violating a pandemic order that limits public gatherings.
In the latest bailout, Maung Waik, who was previously convicted of drug trafficking, told state television that he gave money to government ministers to help his business. He said the money included $ 100,000 given to Suu Kyi in 2018 for a charity named after her mother, $ 150,000 in 2019 for which she did not specify a reason, $ 50,000 in February last year and $ 250,000 in April. again without any specified purpose.
The country’s anti-corruption commission is investigating the allegations and has vowed to take action against Suu Kyi under the anti-corruption law, Myanmar’s state-run newspaper Global New Light reported on Thursday.
Meanwhile, a court has issued an arrest warrant for the country’s UN ambassador, Kyaw Moe Tun, on charges of treason, the newspaper reported.
The accusation comes from his remarks on February 26 at UN headquarters, in which he condemned the coup and called for “the strongest possible action by the international community” to restore democracy in his country.
Also accused of treason was Mahn Win Khaing Than, the civilian leader of the hidden Myanmar government, the newspaper said. Incumbent Vice President and member of Suu Kyi’s political party vowed on Saturday to continue supporting a “revolution” to oust the army.
On Thursday, residents of a suburb of Yangon burned street barricades to block police against the riot.
The video showed large heats of smoke rising over the Tha Mine area of the city’s Hlaing city, with another barricade lit in the middle of a residential area. A resident, who did not want to be called for fear of reprisals, told The Associated Press that protesters set them on fire after hearing that a column of police trucks was on its way.
The construction of barricades – and, occasionally, their burning – are now tactics set by junta opponents across the country to impede the movement of police and the army. Barriers also provide some protection against the frequent use of live ammunition against them.
On Wednesday, at least two people were shot dead in Kalay, northwestern Myanmar, according to media and social media posts that included photos of the victims. More than 200 people have been killed by security forces since the coup, according to credible calculations.
On Thursday, the junta chief attended an online meeting of military leaders from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations or ASEAN.
It was a rare appearance of Senior General Min Aung Hlaing before an international assembly since the coup.
Earlier this month, the ASEAN president called for an end to violence in Myanmar and talks to try to reach a peaceful agreement.