Myanmar’s military junta has relocated imprisoned democracy advocate Aung San Suu Kyi from prison to house arrest, revealed a source to AFP on Wednesday.
Suu Kyi, the 78-year-old Nobel laureate, is currently serving a 27-year sentence on various charges, including corruption and violating Covid-19 regulations. Since the military coup in 2021, she has been largely secluded, with reports of deteriorating health conditions.
According to an anonymous military source, Suu Kyi and former president Win Myint have been transferred from prison to house arrest. Additionally, the junta announced the release of 3,300 prisoners as part of a customary amnesty for the country’s new year festival.
The nature of Suu Kyi’s relocation remains uncertain—whether it’s a temporary measure or a formal reduction in her sentence. Junta spokesman Zaw Min Tun cited concerns about hot weather as the reason for the move, stating that vulnerable detainees, including Suu Kyi and Win Myint, required special care.
Reports from local media highlighted Suu Kyi’s health challenges during her trial, including dizziness, vomiting, and difficulties eating due to a tooth infection.
Her son, Kim Aris, disclosed earlier this year that she was held in a compound in Naypyidaw, lacking adequate facilities such as air conditioning, especially concerning amid the scorching heat. Suu Kyi’s history with house arrest dates back to 1988 when she was detained at her family’s residence in Yangon during pro-democracy protests.
The recent prisoner amnesty announced by the junta involves the release and deportation of foreign nationals, along with sentence reductions for remaining prisoners, excluding those convicted of serious crimes. Myanmar’s military coup last year sparked widespread public resistance, resulting in a violent crackdown by the military, leading to thousands of civilian casualties.
