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Myanmar Military Places Aung San Suu Kyi Under House Arrest
Myanmar's military government announced it has transferred detained former leader Aung San Suu Kyi from prison to house arrest to serve the remainder of her sentence. The move follows a recent amnesty that reduced her term, though her son expressed doubts about her condition and location. The announcement included a photo of Suu Kyi, but its authenticity and her current status remain unverified.
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Myanmar's military government announced that former leader Aung San Suu Kyi has been transferred from prison to house arrest. According to state media reports cited in multiple outlets, the order came from military leader Min Aung Hlaing, who commuted her remaining sentence to be served at a designated residence.
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The announcement was made amid amnesties tied to a religious holiday and followed the 2021 military takeover. The 80-year-old Nobel Peace Prize recipient has been detained since February 1, 2021, when the military assumed control from her elected government.
Court records indicate she was sentenced to 33 years on charges including corruption and electoral fraud. Subsequent amnesties reduced her effective sentence to approximately 18 years.
State broadcaster MRTV released a photograph showing Suu Kyi seated with two uniformed individuals, described by the broadcaster as depicting her current condition. The specific location of the house arrest has not been publicly disclosed by the government, and it is not her previous residence in Naypyidaw.
A military spokesperson stated that the transfer was intended to address health concerns during a heatwave, according to reports from AFP and Bloomberg. The move followed an April 17 amnesty that reduced sentences for more than 1,500 prisoners, including Suu Kyi, by one-sixth, as reported by state media.
An additional amnesty was announced on Thursday, coinciding with the Thingyan New Year festival, further shortening terms for certain detainees.
" Suu Kyi's son, Kim Aris, based in London, told NPR: "Moving her from a prison to a secret location does not mean freedom. " Aris noted that the provided photograph dates to 2022 and does not confirm her present status. He also mentioned the timing aligned with recent inquiries from the Chinese government regarding her condition.
