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HomeNewsCourt rules in favour of Suu Kyi’s brother in housing row

Court rules in favour of Suu Kyi’s brother in housing row

A court in Rangoon ruled that Aung San Suu Kyi’s estranged brother, Aung San Oo, is a partial owner of the family’s lakeside estate, where the opposition leader spent 15 years under house arrest.

Attorney Aung Thein of the Burmese Lawyers Network on Wednesday said Rangoon District Court last Friday said Suu Kyi and Aung San Oo were both entitled to house.

“According to the Buddhist customs and traditions, a Buddhist person’s heir, regardless of being Buddhist or a Burmese citizen, has the right to a share of the assets – this is what’s said in the original law,” said Aung Thein.

“The court decided Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and U Aung San Oo, both children of General Aung San and Daw Khin Kyi, have to share the assets [equally].”

However, in Burma there is a law that restricts foreigners from owning immovable property.

Aung San Suu Kyi’s lawyer Nyan Win said today her legal team would appeal the decision based on this legal statute.

The law stipulates that foreigners can inherit assets that are movable, but cannot claim immovable property.

“Although foreigners are not prohibited from inheriting assets [from their parents], they are not permitted to own immovable properties such as a house or land,” said Nyan Win.

Aung San Oo first claimed partial ownership of the house in 2000, amid speculation that he would then sell his half-share to the Burmese junta.

The courts however blocked the case, citing his status as a US citizen.

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