Myanmar court defers hearing as a dizzy and drowsy Suu Kyi skips appearance

The detained former leader is being tried on sedition and other charges

A demonstrator gestures near a barricade during a protest against the military coup in Mandalay, Myanmar. Reuters

A man carries a sandbag to erect a makeshift barricade, as security forces stage a crackdown on demonstrations by protesters against the military coup, in Mandalay. AFP

Demonstrators are seen behind barricades during a protest against the military coup in Mandalay. Reuters

Protesters take part in a demonstration against the military coup in the coastal city of Dawei. AFP

Protesters take part in a demonstration against the military coup in the coastal city of Dawei. AFP

Residents release balloons with messages relating to "R2P", or the "Responsibility to Protect" principle that the international community is justified in taking action against a state that is deemed to have failed to protect its population from atrocities, in Yangon's Hlaing township. AFP

A resident receives medical attention after being injured during a crackdown by security forces on demonstrations by protesters against the military coup, in Mandalay. AFP

Anti-coup protesters flash three-fingered gesture, a symbol of resistance, during a rally outside their homes in downtown Yangon, Myanmar. AP Photo

A demonstrator looks on along burning debris during a protest against the military coup in Mandalay. EPA

Medical volunteers carry an injured protester who was shot during a demonstration against the military coup in Mandalay. Reuters

Protesters with flags take part in a demonstration against the military coup as they ride scooters through a rural part of Launglone township in Myanmar's Dawei district. AFP

The mother of Aung Kaung Htet wails while mourning during a funeral for Aung, 15, who was killed when military junta forces opened fire on anti-coup protesters in Yangon. Getty Images

Mourners hold up the three-finger salute as they carry the coffin during the funeral of teenage protester Aung Kaung Htet in Yangon. AFP

Protesters take cover during clashes with security forces in Monywa. Reuters

Medical staff and students take part in an early morning protest against the military coup and crackdown by security forces on demonstrations in Mandalay. AFP

Aung San Suu Kyi was unable to attend a scheduled court hearing Monday because she felt ill, according to the lawyers of Myanmar’s detained former leader.

Ms Suu Kyi is being tried in the capital Naypyitaw on charges of sedition, as well as two counts of flouting pandemic restrictions during the 2020 election campaign, illegally importing walkie-talkies that were for her bodyguards’ use and the unlicensed use of the radios.

She was detained on February 1 when the army seized power from her elected government.

One of Ms Suu Kyi’s lawyers, Min Min Soe, told AP the 76-year-old former leader felt sick Monday on the drive to the court from the secret location where she is being held by the ruling military government. Her team requested her hearing be postponed, and she was allowed to return to her living quarters.

Her special court hearing was to have been the first since July, when sessions were suspended as a measure against a nationwide coronavirus outbreak. Monday’s session was supposed to cover the charge that Ms Suu Kyi had violated Covid-19 restrictions.

Another of her lawyers, Khin Maung Zaw, said all those involved in the court hearings were tested for Covid-19 on Sunday. Ms Suu Kyi has been vaccinated against the virus.

“We met with Daw Aung San Suu Kyi at 9.30am today. As soon as she entered the room, we learned that she was not well. Her face was red, with a runny nose,” said Khin Maung Zaw, using the honorific “Daw,” a respectful term for women. “She said she was not well as soon as she sat down. She said she was dizzy because the car was bumping so much. So we asked the court to postpone today’s appointment.”

His colleague Min Min Soe said Ms Suu Kyi looked as if she had lost some weight, but told them she had not been sick for the past two months.

The army has said it seized power because last November’s general election, which Ms Suu Kyi’s National League for Democracy won by a landslide, was tainted by widespread fraud. Ms Suu Kyi’s party has denied this, and independent election observers have said the allegation has not been substantiated.

Ms Suu Kyi’s supporters as well as independent analysts say all of the charges are politically motivated and an attempt to discredit her and legitimise the military’s seizure of power.

The army takeover was met with significant popular resistance, which is continuing despite harsh measures by security forces to quash it.

Min Min Soe said Monday’s court session continued with testimony against Ms Suu Kyi’s co-defendant, Win Myint, the country’s former president who was also detained in the military takeover. She said a prosecution witness testified on the charge that Win Myint also had broken Covid-19 pandemic restrictions during the 2020 election campaign.

Further proceedings in the cases against both for breaking coronavirus restrictions were adjourned until September 20, while those involving other charges will continue on Tuesday, said Ms Suu Kyi’s lawyers.