Aung San Suu Kyi has been sentenced by the Myanmar capital’s special court to four-year imprisonment. The judge found her guilty of violating coronavirus and incitement.

This sentencing was one of a number of cases where the 76 year-old Nobel laureate has been prosecuted. The case began after the army took power in February 1, which prevented her National League for Democracy from launching a second term.

Incitement cases involved postings on her party’s page, after her and other leaders were already detained by military personnel. The coronavirus case concerned a campaign appearance before elections last November which her party won overwhelmingly.

Although the army and its ally lost many seats in this election, independent observers failed to detect major irregularities.

An official from the legal profession conveyed the ruling of court. He insisted that the information be kept anonymous to avoid being penalized by the authorities. The media is not allowed to see the trials of Suu Kyi. Her lawyers who were the only source of information about the proceedings received gag orders in October, forbidding their release.

Suu Kyi’s cases are generally viewed as a ploy to undermine her candidacy for the next election. Anyone convicted of any crime is barred from being elected to high office and cannot be sent to jail.

Ten months on, opposition to military rule is strong. The verdict could exacerbate tensions.

Protest marches against the military government were organized on Sunday calling for Suu Kyi’s release and that of other government members. Unconfirmed reports suggest that at least three people were possibly killed when an army truck drove in front of a group of 30 protesters marching through Yangon, which is the largest city in the country.

Suu Kyi was due to deliver the verdicts on her first two cases regarding incitement, for allegedly spreading false and inflammatory information that could disrupt public order, as well violating Natural Disaster Management Law, for allegedly breaking coronavirus restraints. But, without any explanations from the court, it delayed its verdict. It also agreed to permit testimony on this week’s coronavirus case from another defense witness, who was previously unable to make it to court due to ill health.

Suu Kyi was vigorously defended by her lawyers in an effort to get the charge of incitement dismissed. Statements made by Suu Kyi on the party’s Facebook page were used as evidence. The defense lawyers claimed that Suu Kyi, and Win Myint (a former President) could not be held liable for statements that criticized the takeover of the party and suggested that it be stopped.

Myo Aung was the former Naypyitaw mayor. He is also charged with this charge. This carries a maximum of two years prison time and a fine. Win Myint was sentenced for a total period of four and Myo-Aung for two.

Nationally peaceful demonstrations were held in support of February’s takeover of power. Security forces responded with brutal force. According to the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners, they have killed approximately 1,300 civilians.

Due to severe restrictions on peaceful protests, the armed resistance in the cities has increased, and U.N experts warned that the country was at risk of civil war.

Suu Kyi was detained by the military on the same day as its takeover. She has only been in court to testify in some of her cases.

December 14 is the date for Suu Kyi to be tried on her second count of violating restrictions regarding coronavirus. For each of these counts, the maximum punishment is three years imprisonment plus a $500 fine.

Another case against Suu Kyi is the alleged illegal import and misuse of walkietalkies by her security personnel; violation of Official Secrets Act where Sean Turnell (an Australian economist) is a codefendant; four other corruption cases covering the alleged taking of a corrupt offer to receive favorable terms in property transactions. The maximum punishment for each of these corruption offenses is a 15-year sentence and a $500 fine.

The trial for a fifth charge of corruption has yet to begin, but state media announced last week that a sixth case has been brought against Suu Kyi.

Win Myint, her husband, and the latest accusation are charged with corruption for granting permissions to rent and purchase a helicopter.

The military-appointed electoral commission made it clear that they would be prosecuting Suu Kyi, along with 15 other high-ranking political figures, for fraud in the previous election. This could lead to her party’s dissolution.

According to independent observers, the claim by the military that it took power in response to widespread fraud in elections is not supported by evidence.