Myanmar Military Reportedly To Transfer Aung San Suu Kyi To House Detainees, NUG: Not Changing Status

JAKARTA - Myanmar's military government is rumored to be moving ousted Myanmar leader Aung San Suu Kyi from prison to house arrest in the capital, Naypyitaw, according to two media on Wednesday.

The 78-year-old Nobel Prize winner has been detained since his arrest on the first day of the February 1, 2021 military coup, toppled his elected government, launched a crackdown on his opponents that left thousands of people imprisoned or killed.

The Associated Press quoted an unidentified security official as saying the move was an act of pardon for detainees as part of a religious ceremony to be held next week.

While BBC Burma cited a "source close to the prison" as saying Suu Kyi may have been moved to a house normally used by government officials.

Meanwhile, Myanmar's ruling military spokesman could not immediately be questioned. Meanwhile, lawyer Suu Kyi and a spokesman for the shadow National Unity Government (NUG) who opposes military rule, were unable to confirm the report.

"The news about improving conditions was welcomed, but did not change his status as a prisoner," said NUG spokesman Kyaw Zaw.

Previously, Suu Kyi appealed the sentence that increased her prison term to 33 years, after being found guilty of various offenses ranging from incitement and election fraud to corruption, a charge she denies.

Meanwhile, many Western governments condemn the military junta's treatment of Suu Kyi and other political prisoners, calling for their release.

This month, Thai Foreign Minister Don Pramudwinai said he had just met Suu Kyi, the first foreign official to be given access to meet her since she was detained.

This meeting comes as the Southeast Asian regional group, ASEAN, is struggling to agree on an approach on how to end the crisis in Myanmar.

It is known that the daughter of Myanmar's independence hero first became under house arrest in 1989, after massive protests against military rule for decades.

In 1991, he won the Nobel Peace Prize for campaigning for democracy, but was only released from house arrest in 2010.

Suu Kyi then won the 2015 general election, which was held part of a temporary military reform that was halted by the 2021 coup.