Myanmar court sentences ousted leader Suu Kyi to 4 years

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Listening

Unlocking Word Meanings

Read the following words/expressions found in today’s article.

  1. guilty / ˈgɪl ti / (adj.) – responsible for an illegal act or something bad that has happened
    Example:

    After three years of trial, he was found guilty of murder.


  2. amnesty / ˈæm nə sti / (n.) – a decision that a person or group won’t be given full punishment for an offense
    Example:

    He was sentenced to life imprisonment. But after being given an amnesty, he will only serve 12 years in prison.


  3. series / ˈsɪər iz / (n.) – a number of similar things or events that happen or appear one after the other
    Example:

    The company struggled with a series of problems after the product launch.


  4. laureate / ˈlɔr i ɪt / (n.) – a person who has been given an official honor or prize for an important achievement
    Example:

    He was this year’s Nobel laureate in the field of chemistry.


  5. prosecute / ˈprɒs ɪˌkyut / (v.) – to hold a trial against a person who’s accused of a crime to see if that person is guilty
    Example:

    The stolen items were found with him, so he’s being prosecuted for theft.


Article

Read the text below.

A Myanmar court sentenced the country’s ousted leader, Aung San Suu Kyi, to four years in prison Dec. 6 after finding her guilty of incitement and violating coronavirus restrictions, a legal official said. Hours later, the sentence was reduced to two years in what reports say was an amnesty ordered by military leader Senior Gen. Min Aung Hlaing.


The sentencing was the first in a series of cases in which the 76-year-old Nobel laureate is being prosecuted since the army seized power on Feb. 1, preventing her National League for Democracy party from starting a second five-year term in office. If found guilty in all cases, she could face more than 100 years in prison.


At the first sentencing on Dec. 6, it was not clear whether Suu Kyi would be sent to prison, but when her sentence was halved, reports said she would serve her time at her current detention place. Suu Kyi has served 15 years of house arrest, starting in 1989.


The incitement case involved statements posted on her party’s Facebook page after she and other party leaders had already been detained by the military, while the coronavirus charge involved a campaign appearance ahead of elections in November 2020, which her party overwhelmingly won. (AP)


This article was provided by The Japan Times Alpha.


Viewpoint Discussion

Enjoy a discussion with your tutor.

Discussion A

  • Suu Kyi was initially sentenced to four years in prison, but it was later on reduced to two years as what the reports said was an amnesty. Why do you think she was given an amnesty? In your opinion, what kind of cases deserve amnesty? Discuss.
  • Suu Kyi was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1991 for her non-violent struggle for human rights. Currently, she’s facing several charges, including some for corruption. If she’s found guilty, should her Nobel prize be taken back? Why or why not? Discuss.

Discussion B

  • Suu Kyi was found guilty of incitement and violating coronavirus restrictions for campaigning before the November 2020 elections, which her party won. Why do you think she won overwhelmingly despite the violation? Discuss.
  • Suu Kyi has been known as someone who’s been fighting for democracy despite danger and opposition. What do you think keeps her going? Discuss.