MANDALAY, Myanmar (AP) – A Myanmar construction tycoon with ties to military rulers said he personally gave more than half a million dollars in cash to ousted leader Aung San Suu Kyi in a state television show intended to discredit the deposed civilian government.
Maung Waik’s statement could pave the way for more serious charges against Suu Kyi, who has been detained since the February 1 military takeover, as security forces increasingly use lethal force against a revolt. popular that demands the restoration of democratically elected leaders.
The military has already tried to implicate Suu Kyi in corruption, alleging that she was given $ 600,000 more gold bars by a political ally. So far, she and President Win Myint have been accused of inciting unrest, possession of walkie-talkies and violating a pandemic order that limited public meetings.
In the latest statement of allegations, Maung Waik, who had already been convicted of drug trafficking, told state television that he was giving cash to government ministers to help his business. He said the money included $ 100,000 donated to Suu Kyi in 2018 for a charity named after his mother, $ 150,000 in 2019 for which he did not specify any reason, $ 50,000 last February and $ 250,000 in l ‘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 Global New Light newspaper reported on Thursday.
Meanwhile, a court has issued an arrest warrant for the country’s UN ambassador, Kyaw Moe Tun, accused of treason, the newspaper reported.
The indictment comes from his statements at UN headquarters on February 26, in which he condemned the coup and called for “the strongest possible action by the international community” to restore the democracy in their country.
The newspaper also accused Mahn Win Khaing Than, the hidden civilian leader of the Myanmar government, of treason. On Saturday, incumbent vice president and member of Suu Kyi’s political party had vowed to continue supporting a “revolution” to oust the military from power.
On Thursday, residents of a Yangon suburb set fire to barricades on the street to block riot police.
The video showed large smokes rising over the Tha Mine area in Hlaing Township, with another barricade burning fiercely in the middle of a residential area. A resident, who did not want to be named for fear of reprisals, told The Associated Press that protesters set them on fire after learning that a column of police trucks was on its way.
Building barricades – and occasionally burning them down – are now tactics set by board 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, northwest 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 data.
On Thursday, the head of the board attended an online meeting of military leaders from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations or ASEAN.
It was a rare appearance by General Min Aung Hlaing before an international meeting since the coup.
The ASEAN president earlier this month called for an end to violence in Myanmar and talks to try to reach a peaceful settlement.