Myanmar’s Former Leader Aung San Suu Kyi Moved to House Arrest
Myanmar’s former leader, Aung San Suu Kyi, has been transferred from prison to house arrest by the military government as a health precaution during a heat wave. This decision was made along with the granting of amnesty to over 3,000 prisoners to coincide with the traditional New Year holiday.
Reason for Transfer
The military spokesperson, Maj. Gen. General Zaw Min Tun, revealed that Suu Kyi, aged 78, and Win Myint, the 72-year-old former president, were among the elderly and infirm prisoners moved due to the extreme heat conditions in the prisons. This move, although not yet officially announced in Myanmar, aims to address the health concerns of the inmates.
Background
Suu Kyi has been serving a lengthy prison term in Naypyitaw, while Win Myint was imprisoned in Taungoo, both on charges that her supporters and rights groups claim were politically motivated. The conflict in Myanmar escalated after the military seized power in 2021, leading to the detention of Suu Kyi and the crackdown on peaceful protests advocating for a return to democracy.
Amnesty and Releases
Spokesperson Zaw Min Tun did not specify the new locations of the released prisoners, indicating that Suu Kyi was previously held in a military safe house within an army base. The amnesty granted by Senior Gen. Min Aung Hlaing included the pardon of 3,303 prisoners, with some receiving reduced sentences. While some prisoners were released for the New Year holiday, it remains unclear if pro-democracy activists and political detainees were among them.
