Aung San Suu Kyi made first in-person court appearance on May 24, 2021 since coup according to her lawyer. This image was taken during her time in office, meeting a Chinese government official. AFP
Aung San Suu Kyi made first in-person court appearance on May 24, 2021 since coup according to her lawyer. This image was taken during her time in office, meeting a Chinese government official. AFP
Aung San Suu Kyi made first in-person court appearance on May 24, 2021 since coup according to her lawyer. This image was taken during her time in office, meeting a Chinese government official. AFP
Aung San Suu Kyi made first in-person court appearance on May 24, 2021 since coup according to her lawyer. This image was taken during her time in office, meeting a Chinese government official. AFP

Myanmar: deposed leader Suu Kyi appears in court as fighting escalates


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Myanmar's deposed leader Aung San Suu Kyi appeared in person at a court hearing on Monday for the first time since her government was overthrown by the military in a February 1 coup, her lawyer told Reuters.

Ms Suu Kyi looked in good health and held a face-to-face meeting with her legal team for about 30 minutes before the hearing, lawyer Thae Maung Maung said.

Ms Suu Kyi "wished people good health" in her meeting with her lawyers and also made a reference to her National League for Democracy (NLD) party that could be dissolved soon.

"Our party grew out of the people so it will exist as long as people support it", one of her lawyers, Khin Maung Zaw, quoted Ms Suu Kyi as saying.

Ms Suu Kyi, 75, a Nobel Peace Prize laureate for her long struggle to build democracy in the country, is among more than 4,000 people detained since the coup.

She faces charges that range from illegally possessing walkie-talkie radios to violating a state secrets law.

Myanmar's ousted leader Aung San Suu Kyi, former president Win Myint and doctor Myo Aung appear at a court in Naypyitaw, Myanmar. MRTV/Reuters
Myanmar's ousted leader Aung San Suu Kyi, former president Win Myint and doctor Myo Aung appear at a court in Naypyitaw, Myanmar. MRTV/Reuters

Signs of armed rebellion 

Ms Suu Kyi's court appearance follows an uptick in fighting as a national protest movement has merged with simmering insurgencies across the country, led by marginalised ethnic groups.

A harsh government crackdown has led to at least 815 deaths, according to a local monitoring group.

The violence has pushed some in the anti-junta movement to form a so-called "People's Defence Force" (PDF) in their own townships – made up of civilians who fight back against security forces with homemade weapons.

  • A man holds a National League for Democracy flag during a protest against the military coup in Yangon, Myanmar. Reuters
    A man holds a National League for Democracy flag during a protest against the military coup in Yangon, Myanmar. Reuters
  • Protesters set fire to tyres on a road to slow the progress of security forces in Yangon. Getty Images
    Protesters set fire to tyres on a road to slow the progress of security forces in Yangon. Getty Images
  • Protesters stand behind a barricade while waiting for security forces to approach in Yangon. Getty Images
    Protesters stand behind a barricade while waiting for security forces to approach in Yangon. Getty Images
  • A protester stands near a fire during a demonstration in Dala township, Yangon. AP Photo
    A protester stands near a fire during a demonstration in Dala township, Yangon. AP Photo
  • Protesters gesture with a three-finger salute in Thaketa township Yangon. AP Photo
    Protesters gesture with a three-finger salute in Thaketa township Yangon. AP Photo
  • Protesters hurl back tear gas canisters towards police in Mandalay. AP Photo
    Protesters hurl back tear gas canisters towards police in Mandalay. AP Photo
  • Protesters take cover during a protest against the military coup in Mandalay. EPA
    Protesters take cover during a protest against the military coup in Mandalay. EPA
  • Protesters take part in a demonstration against the military coup in Yangon's Tamwe township. AFP
    Protesters take part in a demonstration against the military coup in Yangon's Tamwe township. AFP
  • Protesters take part in a demonstration against the military coup in Yangon's Tamwe township. AFP
    Protesters take part in a demonstration against the military coup in Yangon's Tamwe township. AFP
  • A resident flashes the three-finger salute as demonstrators march during a protest against the military coup in Mandalay. EPA
    A resident flashes the three-finger salute as demonstrators march during a protest against the military coup in Mandalay. EPA
  • A protester walks past makeshift barricades set up to deter security forces in Yangon's Hlaing township. AFP
    A protester walks past makeshift barricades set up to deter security forces in Yangon's Hlaing township. AFP
  • A man stands behind a barricade during a protest against the military coup in Yangon. Reuters
    A man stands behind a barricade during a protest against the military coup in Yangon. Reuters
  • People stand on a barricade during a protest against the military coup in Yangon. Reuters
    People stand on a barricade during a protest against the military coup in Yangon. Reuters
  • Protesters extinguish fires during a protest in Thaketa township Yangon. AP Photo
    Protesters extinguish fires during a protest in Thaketa township Yangon. AP Photo
  • A man holds a makeshift gun in Yangon. Reuters
    A man holds a makeshift gun in Yangon. Reuters
  • Protesters prepare makeshift bow and arrows to confront police in Thaketa township Yangon. AP Photo
    Protesters prepare makeshift bow and arrows to confront police in Thaketa township Yangon. AP Photo
  • Family members cry in front of a man after he was shot dead during an anti-coup protesters crackdown in Yangon. Reuters
    Family members cry in front of a man after he was shot dead during an anti-coup protesters crackdown in Yangon. Reuters
  • A protester throws a smoke bomb in Thaketa township Yangon. AP Photo
    A protester throws a smoke bomb in Thaketa township Yangon. AP Photo
  • People walk on a street as barricades burn behind them in Mandalay. reuters
    People walk on a street as barricades burn behind them in Mandalay. reuters
  • Smoke rises over Thaketa township in Yangon as security forces continue their crackdown on protests against the military coup. AFP
    Smoke rises over Thaketa township in Yangon as security forces continue their crackdown on protests against the military coup. AFP

There were clashes in eastern Myanmar over the weekend, particularly in Kayah state's Demoso town, and in neighbouring Shan state.

People's Defence Force member Thet Wai – not his real name – said at least 20 police officers died Sunday and his side seized a police station in Moebyel town, Shan state, east of the capital Naypyidaw.

The police station was burnt down and rebel fighters also took four security force members into custody, local media reported.

"I thought today is a day of conquest," Thet Wai, 29, told AFP.

"But I am also worried because we have seen air strikes and tanks today. They have much better weapons than us."

He said the Myanmar military had launched helicopter air strikes in the evening at Demoso, a town in Kayah state about 40 kilometres south.

Another civilian fighter at Demoso said at least 13 Myanmar soldiers had been killed on Sunday, while four of his men were wounded.

"We intended to seize their police station, but they used air strikes and we could not stop their reinforcement trucks getting into the town," he said. "We had to withdraw our troops from fighting."

The fighting continued through Sunday night, according to a senior leader of the Karenni National Progressive Party – an ethnic armed group with a stronghold in Kayah state.

He confirmed that the military was using tanks, helicopters and mortar attacks in Demoso and Loikaw, the capital of Kayah state.

Meanwhile, military chief Min Aun Hlaing, who removed civilian leader Aung San Suu Kyi from power in the coup, gave a two-hour interview to Hong Kong's Phoenix Television, with the full programme yet to air.

In a snippet released on Sunday, he offered reassurances to Chinese investors after a spate of arson attacks at factories in the commercial capital Yangon.

"Our citizens don't hate China," he said. "It happened for political reasons."

11 cabbie-recommended restaurants and dishes to try in Abu Dhabi

Iqbal Restaurant behind Wendy’s on Hamdan Street for the chicken karahi (Dh14)

Pathemari in Navy Gate for prawn biryani (from Dh12 to Dh35)

Abu Al Nasar near Abu Dhabi Mall, for biryani (from Dh12 to Dh20)

Bonna Annee at Navy Gate for Ethiopian food (the Bonna Annee special costs Dh42 and comes with a mix of six house stews – key wet, minchet abesh, kekel, meser be sega, tibs fir fir and shiro).

Al Habasha in Tanker Mai for Ethiopian food (tibs, a hearty stew with meat, is a popular dish; here it costs Dh36.75 for lamb and beef versions)

Himalayan Restaurant in Mussaffa for Nepalese (the momos and chowmein noodles are best-selling items, and go for between Dh14 and Dh20)

Makalu in Mussaffa for Nepalese (get the chicken curry or chicken fry for Dh11)

Al Shaheen Cafeteria near Guardian Towers for a quick morning bite, especially the egg sandwich in paratha (Dh3.50)

Pinky Food Restaurant in Tanker Mai for tilapia

Tasty Zone for Nepalese-style noodles (Dh15)

Ibrahimi for Pakistani food (a quarter chicken tikka with roti costs Dh16)

Brief scores:

Liverpool 3

Mane 24', Shaqiri 73', 80'

Manchester United 1

Lingard 33'

Man of the Match: Fabinho (Liverpool)

The specs

Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8

Transmission: seven-speed

Power: 720hp

Torque: 770Nm

Price: Dh1,100,000

On sale: now

The%20pillars%20of%20the%20Dubai%20Metaverse%20Strategy
%3Cp%3EEncourage%20innovation%20in%20the%20metaverse%20field%20and%20boost%20economic%20contribution%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EDevelop%20outstanding%20talents%20through%20education%20and%20training%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EDevelop%20applications%20and%20the%20way%20they%20are%20used%20in%20Dubai's%20government%20institutions%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EAdopt%2C%20expand%20and%20promote%20secure%20platforms%20globally%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EDevelop%20the%20infrastructure%20and%20regulations%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Vidaamuyarchi

Director: Magizh Thirumeni

Stars: Ajith Kumar, Arjun Sarja, Trisha Krishnan, Regina Cassandra

Rating: 4/5

 

Keane on …

Liverpool’s Uefa Champions League bid: “They’re great. With the attacking force they have, for me, they’re certainly one of the favourites. You look at the teams left in it - they’re capable of scoring against anybody at any given time. Defensively they’ve been good, so I don’t see any reason why they couldn’t go on and win it.”

Mohamed Salah’s debut campaign at Anfield: “Unbelievable. He’s been phenomenal. You can name the front three, but for him on a personal level, he’s been unreal. He’s been great to watch and hopefully he can continue now until the end of the season - which I’m sure he will, because he’s been in fine form. He’s been incredible this season.”

Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s instant impact at former club LA Galaxy: “Brilliant. It’s been a great start for him and for the club. They were crying out for another big name there. They were lacking that, for the prestige of LA Galaxy. And now they have one of the finest stars. I hope they can go win something this year.”

Living in...

This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.

Timeline

2012-2015

The company offers payments/bribes to win key contracts in the Middle East

May 2017

The UK SFO officially opens investigation into Petrofac’s use of agents, corruption, and potential bribery to secure contracts

September 2021

Petrofac pleads guilty to seven counts of failing to prevent bribery under the UK Bribery Act

October 2021

Court fines Petrofac £77 million for bribery. Former executive receives a two-year suspended sentence 

December 2024

Petrofac enters into comprehensive restructuring to strengthen the financial position of the group

May 2025

The High Court of England and Wales approves the company’s restructuring plan

July 2025

The Court of Appeal issues a judgment challenging parts of the restructuring plan

August 2025

Petrofac issues a business update to execute the restructuring and confirms it will appeal the Court of Appeal decision

October 2025

Petrofac loses a major TenneT offshore wind contract worth €13 billion. Holding company files for administration in the UK. Petrofac delisted from the London Stock Exchange

November 2025

180 Petrofac employees laid off in the UAE

THE SPECS

Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8

Transmission: seven-speed dual clutch

Power: 710bhp

Torque: 770Nm

Speed: 0-100km/h 2.9 seconds

Top Speed: 340km/h

Price: Dh1,000,885

On sale: now

The President's Cake

Director: Hasan Hadi

Starring: Baneen Ahmad Nayyef, Waheed Thabet Khreibat, Sajad Mohamad Qasem 

Rating: 4/5