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Suu Kyi sentence 'deeply concerning': Aust

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Australia has joined the US in calling for the release of Myanmar's deposed Aung San Suu Kyi.
Camera IconAustralia has joined the US in calling for the release of Myanmar's deposed Aung San Suu Kyi. Credit: AP

Australia has joined the US in calling for the release of Myanmar's deposed democratically elected leader Aung San Suu Kyi, who has been sentenced to at least two years in detention.

"The sentencing of Aung San Suu Kyi is deeply concerning," a Department of Foreign Affairs spokesperson said.

"Australia continues to call for the release of all those arbitrarily detained in Myanmar, and for a return to the path of democratic transition as soon as possible.

"Australia has been a longstanding supporter of Myanmar and its democratic transition."

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A court in military-ruled Myanmar sentenced Ms Suu Kyi to four years in detention on Monday on charges of incitement and breaching coronavirus restrictions.

State television later said the sentence had been reduced to two years in a partial pardon.

The US has branded her conviction and sentence as an affront to democracy and justice and demanded the immediate release of the Nobel laureate and other elected officials detained in a February 1 coup.

United Nations human rights chief Michelle Bachelet also denounced the sentence and called for her immediate release.

"The conviction of the State Counsellor following a sham trial in secretive proceedings before a military-controlled court is nothing but politically motivated," Ms Bachelet said.

"The military is attempting to instrumentalise the courts to remove all political opposition."

In February, Myanmar's military generals seized power and detained Ms Suu Kyi along with officials from her National League for Democracy party, which won an election in November 2020.

Myanmar President Win Myint has been sentenced to four years' detention, Myanmar's state-run broadcaster MRTV reported.

He and Ms Suu Kyi will reportedly serve their sentences where they are currently being detained, the location of which has not been disclosed.

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