Asia

4 accused in killing of Suu Kyi adviser appear in court

Associated Press
Published | Updated

FILE - In this Feb. 28, 2016, photo, Ko Ni, a legal adviser for Myanmar's ruling National League for Democracy and a prominent member of Myanmar's Muslim minority, is photographed in Naypyitaw, Myanmar. Ko Ni was shot in the head as he waited for taxi outside the Yangon’s international airport in January. The alleged killer of Ko Ni, appeared briefly in court in Yangon on Friday, March 17, 2017. (AP Photo/Aung Shine Oo, File) (The Associated Press)

Kyi Lin, left, alleged gunman who shot and killed Ko Ni, legal adviser to Myanmar ruling National League for Democracy, is escorted by Myanmar police upon arrival for the court appearance in Yangon, Myanmar Friday, March 17, 2017. It’s the first time he’s been seen in public since his arrest straight after the shooting of Ko Ni at Yangon’s international airport in January. (AP Photo/Thein Zaw) (The Associated Press)

Zeyar Phyo, right, accused of the killing of Ko Ni, legal adviser to Myanmar ruling National League for Democracy, is escorted by Myanmar police upon arrival for the court appearance in Yangon, Myanmar Friday, March 17, 2017. The alleged killer of Ko Ni was brought to the court under tight security to hear the charges he’s facing. Three other men including Zeyar Phyo, appeared with him on similar charges. (AP Photo/Thein Zaw) (The Associated Press)

Four men accused of involvement in the murder of a top legal adviser to Myanmar leader Aung San Suu Kyi's ruling party have appeared in a Yangon court to hear the charges against them.

The alleged hired gunman, Kyi Lin, and three accused plotters were read the murder charge against them Friday for the January shooting of lawyer Ko Ni. A fifth suspect is on the run.

Ko Ni was noted for advising Suu Kyi and her National League for Democracy in her battle to limit the military's power in government. Three of the suspects are former army officers, fueling speculation the military was involved with the crime — an accusation it denies.

Police have said the motive for the killing was personal rancor against Ko Ni's politics.