Myanmar’s former leader Aung San Suu Kyi has been moved from prison to house arrest due to a heatwave, the military government announced. The 78-year-old Nobel laureate, along with former president Win Myint, was transferred to house arrest as a health measure because of the extreme heat in the capital Naypyitaw.
The military spokesperson, Maj Gen Zaw Min Tun, revealed that Suu Kyi and Win Myint, among other elderly and infirm prisoners, were relocated to house arrest due to the severe weather conditions. This move has not been publicly announced in Myanmar, where news about Suu Kyi is tightly controlled by the military government.
Suu Kyi has been serving a 27-year prison term on various criminal convictions since the military ousted the elected government in February 2021. The army’s seizure of power led to widespread protests and a nationwide conflict with pro-democracy resistance fighters and ethnic minority guerrilla forces.
The recent transfer of Suu Kyi and other prisoners to house arrest comes as the military government released over 3,000 prisoners under an amnesty to mark the traditional New Year holiday. The released prisoners include foreigners who will be deported from Myanmar.
Suu Kyi’s health has reportedly deteriorated in prison, with her son expressing concerns about her well-being. The military government’s decision to move her to house arrest has been met with mixed reactions, with some calling for the unconditional release of all political prisoners in Myanmar. The ongoing conflict and political turmoil in the country continue to draw international attention and concern.