The trial of Myanmar’s ousted leader Aung San Suu Kyi began on Monday, as the country’s military leaders continue to clamp down on protesters since their coup in February.

The military is accusing the 75-year-old Nobel peace prize laureate of a dozen different crimes.

She has been under house arrest since the military coup on February 1.

Observers believed that the military aims to silence Ms Suu Kyi long-term, as she faces long sentences.

She is accused, among other things, of violating foreign trade rules and coronavirus rules and inciting unrest and misuse of land.

Most recently, the junta accused her of corruption.

Ms Suu Kyi’s lawyers said they would reveal details about the trial in the afternoon.

Phil Robertson, the deputy Asia director of Human Rights Watch, described the charges against Ms Suu Kyi as “bogus, and politically motivated by the intention to nullify her landslide election victory in the November 2020 election and prevent her from ever running for office again.”

“All these charges should be dropped, resulting in her immediate and unconditional release.

“But sadly, with the restrictions on access to her lawyers and the case being heard in front of a court that is wholly beholden to the military junta, there is little likelihood she will receive a fair trial,” Mr Robertson said.

Myanmar has sunk into chaos and violence since a military coup in early February. The armed forces have brutally cracked down on any form of dissent.

According to the non-profit Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (AAPP), at least 863 people have been killed and more than 6,000 arrested.