Myanmar Places Aung San Suu Kyi Under House Arrest

Myanmar's state media announced that detained former leader Aung San Suu Kyi has been transferred to house arrest. The move comes more than five years after the military coup that ousted her elected government in February 2021. Military leader Min Aung Hlaing, who led the coup and now serves as president, issued the order to commute her remaining sentence to be served at a designated residence.

Aung San Suu Kyi, aged 80, had been held in an undisclosed location, likely a military prison in the capital Nay Pyi Taw. State television broadcast a picture of her with two uniformed personnel, though her son noted it was taken in 2022.

Kyi rose to power in 2015 following democratic reforms in Myanmar. She spent over 15 years under house arrest during previous military rule as a pro-democracy activist and won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1991. After the 2021 coup, she faced multiple trials on charges that supporters and human rights groups described as fabricated, resulting in a 33-year sentence that has been reduced several times.

Her lawyers have not received direct notification of the house arrest, and they have not seen her for more than three years. Little information has been available about her health or conditions since her arrest.

“I hope this is true. I still haven't seen any real evidence to show that she has been moved.”

Kim Aris, Aung San Suu Kyi's son, told reporters he remains skeptical without proof of life or independent verification of her condition and whereabouts. He described the broadcast picture as meaningless and emphasized that he has had no communication with her.

Sean Turnell, a former economic adviser to Aung San Suu Kyi who was detained for over a year after the coup, described prison conditions as medieval, with poor food, medical care, and exposure to the elements. He expressed hope that the reports are true but noted doubts, suggesting the move is part of the military's effort to appear legitimate internationally.