Myanmar Military Junta Moves Aung San Suu Kyi From Prison To House Detention

The demonstration demands the release of Aung San Suu Kyi. (Twitter / kyawthe47410367)

JAKARTA - A spokesman for Myanmar's military junta said the former leader of the country and winner of the 1991 Nobel Peace Prize Aung San Suu Kyi had been transferred from prison to house arrest.

"Because the weather is very hot, this is not only happening to Aung San Suu Kyi. For everyone who needs preventive measures, especially elderly prisoners, we are trying to protect them from hot attacks," said junta spokesman Major General Zaw Min Tun as reported by four media. April 17th.

Suu Kyi, 78, has been detained by the Myanmar military since they toppled her government in a coup in 2021. She faces a 27-year prison sentence for various criminal charges, ranging from betrayal and bribery to violations of telecommunications laws. Suu Kyi denies the allegations.

In February, his son Kim Aris said his mother was being held in an isolation cell but in good spirits "although her health is not as good as it used to be".

It is known that world leaders and pro-democracy activists have repeatedly called for his release.

Meanwhile, a spokesman for the NUG shadow government called for unconditional release for Suu Kyi and U Win Myint, Myanmar's ousted president, who has also been transferred to house arrests according to media reports.

"Referring them from prison to home is a good thing, because houses are better than prisons. However, they must be released unconditionally. They must take full responsibility for the health and safety of Aung San Suu Kyi and U Win Myint," said NUG spokesman Kyaw Zaw.

Previous concerns have arisen about the health of the two former leaders. U Win Myint was reportedly treated for an undisclosed illness in prison in June last year, and was fitted with a urine catheter, as quoted by The Guardian.

In September last year, Kim Aris said the mother suffered from gum disease which was so serious that it was difficult to eat.

"No one outside the prison has seen him for a long time," Aris told the Guardian in an interview from his home in England.

"Now, I can't eat endangers his life. Given that many people have lost their lives in Burmese prisons (Myanmar's old name), this is very concerning," Aris said, adding his lawyer had not been able to meet Suu Kyi.