Deposed Myanmar leader Aung San Suu Kyi was served Tuesday with a new corruption charge, authorities said through state media, as a court on the same day postponed the first verdict in her trial.
Already indicted on more than 10 criminal charges, including allegedly violating a colonial-era official secrets law, the detained leader could be sentenced to over 100 years in prison if convicted on all counts.
According to state media, Suu Kyi was charged with violating the anti-corruption law by abusing her power in connection with the rental and purchase of a helicopter that led to losses of state funds.
Win Myint, president of the civilian government in which Suu Kyi served as state counsellor until the military coup in February, was slapped with the same charge.
A special court in the nation's capital Naypyitaw was to deliver the verdict on Suu Kyi on the cases of incitement and breaching COVID-19 restrictions on Tuesday, but postponed to Dec. 6, according to sources close to the matter.
Suu Kyi is also being tried for illegally importing walkie-talkies, among other allegations. She already faces corruption charges related to her allegedly accepting $600,000 and gold as well as misusing her authority in renting land and a building.
Her request to hold hearings every two weeks rather than every week because of their impact on her health has been denied.
Meanwhile, authorities have told her lawyers not to discuss her trial publicly.
