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A6 WORLD NEWS
Wednesday 2 august 2023
Aung San Suu Kyi has some of her prison sentences reduced by

Myanmar’s military-led government

BANGKOK (AP) — Myan- Win Myint, the U.N. deputy
mar’s military-led govern- spokesman said.
ment reduced the prison The U.N chief also called for
sentences of ousted lead- the immediate release of
er Aung San Suu Kyi in a all arbitrarily detained pris-
clemency connected to oners, “an end to the vio-
a religious holiday in the lence and repression, and
Buddhist-majority country, respect for human rights” in
state media said Tuesday. Myanmar, spokesman Far-
Former President Win Myint han Haq said.
also had his sentence re- The clemency was an-
duced as part of the clem- nounced a day after
ency granted to more than Myanmar’s military extend-
7,000 prisoners. ed the state of emergency
But Suu Kyi, 78, still must it imposed when it seized
serve a total of 27 years out power from Suu Kyi’s elect-
of the 33 she originally was ed government 2 1/2 years
imprisoned for. ago, forcing a further de-
The head of Myanmar’s lay in elections it promised
military council, Senior Gen. when it took over.
Min Aung Hlaing, granted Several of Suu Kyi’s cases
the clemency order to re- are awaiting final appeals.
duce the sentences Suu Min Aung Hlaing pardoned
Kyi received in five cases in a total of 7,749 prisoners
which she was convicted Myanmar’s then leader Aung San Suu Kyi delivers a speech in Naypyitaw, Myanmar, on Jan. 28, and commuted the death
for violating coronavirus re- 2020. Associated Press sentences of others to
strictions, illegally importing commemorate the day the
and possessing walkie-talk- There were reports last tells reporters he had not two of the eight offenses for Buddha gave his first ser-
ies and sedition, according week that Suu Kyi might be received any information which he received convic- mon, the MRTV report said.
to a report on state MRTV. transferred to house arrest about reports saying Suu tions: sedition and violating The army leader also grant-
She was initially sentenced as part of the clemency, Kyi already was transferred coronavirus restrictions and ed amnesty to 125 foreign
for 19 offenses that her sup- but the government did from prison to a residence sedition. The pardons cut prisoners and 22 members
porters and rights groups not confirm them. in Myanmar’s capital, Nay- four years from his 12-year of ethnic armed groups,
described as attempts to The military’s True News In- pyitaw. combined prison sentence. it added. The announce-
discredit her and legitimize formation Team sent video “I haven’t heard anything U.N. Secretary-General ment said he dropped cas-
the 2021 army takeover footage to journalists in about it,” Zaw Min Tun said Antonio Guterres reacted es against 72 people con-
that removed her from of- which the spokesperson Tuesday. to the pardons by reiterat- nected to ethnic armed
fice, as well as to prevent for the ruling military coun- Win Myint, the former presi- ing his call for the immedi- groups.q
her return to politics. cil, Maj. Gen. Zaw Min Tun, dent, was pardoned for ate release of Suu Kyi and

Niger’s premier issues call from France for international help to roll

back his country’s coup

By SYLVIE CORBET stuck outside the coun- help in rolling back the mili- the democratically elect- nearly 4 million people live
Associated Press try since last week’s coup, tary takeover, saying it was ed President Mohamed in food insecurity… It’s a
PARIS (AP) — Niger’s prime appealed Tuesday for the crucial for defending de- Bazoum last week in Ni- country with 300,000 refu-
minister, who has been international community’s mocracy in West Africa. ger, where the constitution gees and as many internal-
Prime Minister Ouhoumou- grants the president broad ly displaced people.”
dou Mahamadou said in powers including the au- On Tuesday France, Italy
an interview with The As- thority to appoint the prime and Spain announced
sociated Press that Niger minister. evacuations from Niger for
should be considered a The West African regional their citizens and other Eu-
linchpin for supporting de- body known as ECOW- ropean nationals.
mocracy in the region and AS announced travel Mahamadou noted that
for protecting countries and economic sanctions the coup comes after
to the south “against the against Niger on Sunday three similar events in Mali,
spread of terrorism.” and said it could use force Burkina Faso and Guinea
Mahamadou was staying if the coup leaders don’t since 2020.
in France because he was reinstate Bazoum within “If a fourth coup is con-
unable to go back to Ni- one week. firmed, it’s the whole de-
ger due to borders closing “It’s a catastrophe,” Ma- mocracy in West Africa
after the coup, which hap- hamadou said in his first in- that is in danger, because
pened as he was travel- terview with a non-French there’s no reason why ...
Niger Prime Minister Ouhoumoudou Mahamadou answers the ling to Italy for international media outlet. “Because Ni- there shouldn’t be a fifth,
Associated Press, Tuesday, Aug. 1, 2023 in Paris. meetings. ger is a fragile country. It’s and after a fifth, a sixth,” he
Associated Press Coup leaders pushed out already a country where said.q