MYANMAR (REUTERS) - Myanmar’s military government accused deposed leader Aung San Suu Kyi on Thursday (March 11) of accepting illegal payments, while eight people were killed when security forces opened fire on protests against the coup, witnesses said.
Junta spokesman Brigadier General Zaw Min Tun told a news conference that Ms Suu Kyi had accepted illegal payments worth US$600,000 (S$804,000) as well as gold while in government, according to a complaint by Mr Phyo Mien Thein, a former chief minister of Yangon.
“He strongly said that,” the spokesman said. “We have verified those facts several times. Now the anti-corruption committee is continuing the investigation.”
SHARE Supporters of ousted Myanmar leader Aung San Suu Kyi called for tougher international action against the new junta on Friday after Washington announced
sanctions after six days of pro-democracy demonstrations.
Security forces carried out another series of arrests overnight, with those detained including at least one doctor who had taken part in an escalating civil disobedience campaign. In some places, people rallied to prevent those arrested being taken away.
As Washington announced a first round of sanctions, EU
legislators
called for action from their countries and Britain said it was considering measures to punish the February 1 coup that ousted Ms Suu Kyi s government.