U.N. special envoy in Naypyitaw to meet Myanmar junta leadership

(Reuters) – A senior U. In. official is expected on Wednesday to fulfill Myanmar’s military leadership, in a rare, high-profile visit that arrives amid growing political chaos and violence in the country.

Myanmar has been in turmoil since the military overthrew an elected government led by Nobel laureate Aung San Suu Kyi early last year and launched the bloody crackdown on peaceful protests and armed resistance motions that followed.

Noeleen Heyzer found its way to Naypyitaw and was greeted by international ministry officials, the particular army-controlled Myawaddy Tv reported late upon Tuesday.

Heyzer is expected to fulfill junta chief Minutes Aung Hlaing plus senior ministers. She could “focus on handling the deteriorating situation and immediate concerns”, the United Nations mentioned in a statement earlier this week.

It did not provide more details of her journey.

A spokesperson for the junta did not respond to requests meant for comment.

Worldwide condemnation has been heaped on Myanmar’s generals, most recently for carrying out four democracy active supporters and workers they said had assisted “terror acts”, mentioning attacks by militias fighting military rule and seeking to avenge a deadly attack on protests.

Myanmar courts have also handed down long prison sentences to Suu Kyi on what critics say are trumped-up charges aimed at completely blocking her go back to politics.

The lady was sentenced to six years within prison on Mon after being discovered guilty in 4 corruption cases, a source with knowledge of the proceedings said.

The 77-year-old experienced leader has been billed with at least eighteen offences ranging from graft to election violations, carrying combined optimum jail terms of nearly 190 many years. Suu Kyi provides called the accusations bizarre and denies most charges against her.

Suu Kyi, who is being kept in solitary confinement in a jail within the capital Naypyitaw, got already been sentenced to 11 years within prison in other instances.

Heyzer have not requested a meeting along with Suu Kyi, junta spokesperson Zaw Min Tun said upon Tuesday.

Zaw Min Tun is usually expected to hold a routine news conference later on Wednesday.

(Reporting by Reuters staff; Writing by Kanupriya Kapoor; Editing by Lincoln Feast)