Burmese justice is examining, Monday, March 1, the case of former leader Aung San Suu Kyi, accused by the junta of having violated obscure trade and health rules, while the country wakes up in shock at after the deadliest repression since the coup.

Aung San Suu Kyi, held in secret by the junta since his arrest on February 1 and under house arrest in the capital Naypyidaw since that date, is appearing in court by video conference and appears "in good health", told AFP his lawyer.

The hearing has started and my client is "on a video conference and appears to be in good health," Khin Maung Zaw said.

The 75-year-old ex-leader is on trial for illegally importing walkie-talkies and violating coronavirus restrictions.

The hearing should focus on the trial schedule, according to his lawyer, who has still not been allowed to meet with his client.

The United Nations has "credible information" according to which at least 18 people were killed Sunday by the security forces which opened fire to disperse pro-democracy rallies in several cities of the country. 

AFP has been able to confirm at this stage from an independent source at least eight deaths, but some reports highlight an even heavier toll than that announced by the UN. 

Despite fear of reprisals, residents of Dawei, in southern Burma, took to the streets on Monday morning to lay red flowers and light candles in front of portraits of the victims.

Death of three additional protesters 

Three protesters died in the coastal town after being targeted by "live ammunition", according to a rescuer. 

In Yangon, the economic capital, a protestor who tried to take shelter behind trash cans and other makeshift shields was shot, according to images filmed by AFP.

"The Burmese army is a terrorist organization," Thinzar Shunlei Yi, a leading activist, responded on Facebook.

>> See also: Burma: "The generals did not understand the importance of the pro-democracy movement"

Asked by AFP, the army did not respond to requests for comment on this information.

But state media warned on Sunday that "tough action will inevitably be taken" against "lawless crowds."

There are now around thirty dead in the ranks of demonstrators since the putsch of February 1, according to an NGO providing assistance to political prisoners (AAPP).

The army says for its part that a police officer perished while trying to disperse a rally.

Violence condemned internationally 

The police and military use of lethal weapons against largely peaceful protests has sparked a new wave of international protests.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Twitter condemned "the abominable violence of the Burmese security forces".

"The use of lethal forces (...) and arbitrary arrests are unacceptable", reacted for his part the Secretary General of the UN, Antonio Guterres

The numerous international protests and the announcement of sanctions by the United States and the European Union have so far failed to influence the military. 

"The world must step up its response. Words of condemnation are welcome but are insufficient," lamented UN Special Rapporteur Tom Andrews, adding that he would publish a list of options on Monday. to the Security Council.

At the same time, many voices continue to demand the release of Aung San Suu Kyi.

More than 1,130 people have been arrested, charged or sentenced since the coup, including 270 for Sunday alone in Yangon, according to the AAPP.

With AFP

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