An American diplomat's ex-wife has been charged in Myanmar with fatally stabbing her husband, Daniel Riva. Pavinee Supasirivisan appeared in a Myanmar court on Tuesday for the trial on an immigration-related charge stemming from allegations she killed Riva in May.
Riva was identified as the victim by People and The Daily Beast. He was found dead with stab wounds to the head and neck on May 11 at the Sakura Residence & Hotel, a hotel frequented by diplomats and international visitors, located approximately one mile from the U.S. Embassy. The U.S. State Department confirmed Riva's death but declined to provide further details, including his name.
Supasirivisan is also charged with murder, a charge that carries a potential sentence ranging from ten years in prison to the death penalty. However, she is currently standing trial for violating Myanmar's immigration code, a charge applicable to any foreign national who commits a crime in the country. This charge carries a sentence of six months to five years.
During the second hearing for her trial at Kamayut Township Court, three prosecution witnesses, including immigration officers, testified. An attorney familiar with the case, who spoke on condition of anonymity to avoid repercussions from Myanmar's military-run government, confirmed the proceedings. Supasirivisan had two legal representatives present in court, but details regarding her plea were not immediately available.
An official from Kamayut township's immigration and population department confirmed that witnesses testified but declined to provide further details, also speaking anonymously as they were not authorized to speak with the press. Journalists are not permitted to attend court proceedings in Myanmar.
Thailand's Foreign Ministry has confirmed it is providing consular assistance to Supasirivisan but has withheld further information. The duration of the trial and the timeline for the murder charge proceedings remain unclear. Myanmar, also known as Burma, has been under military rule since a 2021 coup, which led to widespread protests and a civil war. Authorities in Myanmar rarely engage with the media, and the police, prison officials, and the court have all refused to comment on the case.