Aung San Suu Kyi

The former prime minister was sentenced to three years for violating the official secrets act, on top of a 20-year sentence already handed down by the military junta that took power in 2021.

The anniversary of the Feb. 1, 2021, coup prompted a nationwide "silent strike" by those inside the country who oppose the military's takeover.

The ousted leader, who has been detained since last February's military takeover, is already being tried on five other corruption charges. Each is punishable by up to 15 years in prison and a fine.

Suu Kyi was convicted last month on two other charges and given a four-year prison sentence, which was then halved by the head of the military-installed government.

The move comes days after a regional bloc of nations snubbed the country's ruling junta, disinviting coup leader Min Aung Hlaing from an upcoming summit.

Myanmar's ousted leader, once an icon of freedom, faces the prospect of another prolonged detention. But her handling of atrocities against the Rohingya has left her reputation abroad in tatters.

The remarks by Myanmar special envoy Christine Schraner Burgener during a closed-door session of the U.N. Security Council come as new fighting rages between the army and ethnic insurgents.

Many of those who led the first protests against Myanmar's coup were minority rights activists, garment workers, student groups and others who had butted heads with Aung San Suu Kyi and her party.

Myanmar imposed martial law in parts of the country's largest city after a crackdown on peaceful protests opposing last month's military coup resulted in the deaths of at least 38 on Sunday.