According to the indictment, Suu Kyi is accused of accepting 600,000 dollars and seven gold pieces in bribes, so she faces up to 15 years in prison if convicted.

Previously, the 1991 Nobel Peace Prize winner had faced another six charges related to alleged illegal imports of walkies-talkies and incitement to public unrest.

The former leader was arrested on February 1, when soldiers seized power in a coup d’état, and she has been under house arrest and barely been seen or heard of since then, besides brief appearances in court.

Her lawyer, Khin Maung Zaw, described the corruption charges as ‘absurd’ and said she could face long prison terms if justice is not served.

Zaw added that the coup mongers’ main objective is to keep her out of the national political scene, due to her high popularity.

The coup triggered general demonstrations, and Myanmar’s army has brutally repressed demonstrators who champion democracy.

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