Suu Kyi accused of taking bribes

Myanmar's military government accused deposed leader Aung San Suu Kyi yesterday of accepting illegal payments, while eight people were killed when security forces opened fire on protests against the coup, witnesses said.

Diplomatic pressure has been building since the generals seized power on February 1 and detained Suu Kyi, triggering daily protests around the country.

Rights group Amnesty International accused the military of adopting battle tactics against demonstrators.

The military, which has defended its takeover by citing voting irregularities in November elections won by Suu Kyi's party, held a rare news conference accusing Suu Kyi of corruption.

Junta spokesman Zaw Min Tun said the detained chief minister of Yangon had admitted giving Suu Kyi US$600,000 (HK$4.68 million) in cash, along with more than 11 kilograms of gold.

Nobel peace laureate Suu Kyi is already facing several criminal charges including owning unlicensed walkie-talkies and violating coronavirus restrictions by staging an election campaign event.

Meanwhile, six people were killed in the central town of Myaing when forces fired on a protest, according to a man who helped carry bodies to hospital. A health worker there confirmed all six deaths.

One person was killed in the city of Yangon, while another death was reported in Mandalay.