Myanmar’s detained civilian leader Aung San Suu Kyi vowed her pro-democracy political party would continue its work despite being slated for dissolution in her first public appearance since her government was overthrown in a military coup.
In a message passed to her lawyers ahead of a court appearance in the capital Naypyidaw on Monday, she said the National League for Democracy would keep serving the people of Myanmar, even after junta-appointed election authorities last week said they would dissolve the party. Suu Kyi, who has been confined to her home since the Feb. 1 overthrow, has been formally charged with six criminal offenses including incitement and violating the Official Secrets Act.
“She said the NLD is formed for the people, so the party will be there as long as the people are,” San Marlar Nyunt, one of her lawyers, said by phone. “She said the NLD is all about the interests of the people. She urged the people to take good care of their health.”
The Union Election Commission said Friday the NLD would be dissolved over allegations of fraud during last year’s election and its leaders would be prosecuted as traitors. Following the coup, the army pledged to hold fresh elections following a state of emergency that could last as long as two years.
“She is apparently in good health, and looks strong,” San Marlar Nyunt said of Suu Kyi after a 30-minute meeting in which they largely spoke about her legal fight. “We only care about winning all the charges against her, so our discussions were all about how to defend them. We didn’t have enough time to talk about any other things.”
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