Myanmar's ousted leader Aung San Suu Kyi has been investigated over corruption, a military government spokesman said Thursday amid local reports that at least six people were killed as security forces opened fire on anti-coup protesters.
Suu Kyi has been detained since a Feb. 1 military coup and already faces several criminal charges, including illegally importing communications equipment. But the corruption allegation would far outweigh the existing charges, likely signaling the military's readiness to keep her away from politics for a long time.
Brig. Gen. Zaw Min Tun alleged at a press conference in the capital Naypyitaw that Suu Kyi received $600,000 and gold between December 2017 and March 2018 from Phyo Min Thein, then chief minister of the Yangon Region.
The press conference by the State Administration Council, a top decision-making body set up after the coup, followed one on Feb. 16, which was its first since the takeover.
The council is headed by coup leader and military chief Min Aung Hlaing.
Also Thursday, local media said at least five people were killed in Magway region in central Myanmar and another killed in the largest city Yangon.
Over 60 people have been killed in Myanmar since the military seized power in the coup, ousting Suu Kyi's elected government, with security forces increasingly resorting to the use of force to quell a wave of protests.
The United States, Japan and other countries have called for her and other politicians detained following the coup to be released.
Related coverage:
U.S. imposes sanctions on 2 children of Myanmar coup leader
Japan's use of term "foreign minister" not approval of Myanmar junta
U.N. Security Council condemns violence, urges restraint in Myanmar
