Myanmar ex-leaders Aung San Suu Kyi and U Win Myint moved from jail to house arrest

Aung San Suu Kyi, Myanmar's detained ex-leader, along with the embattled nation's ousted president, U Win Myint, has been moved from prison to house arrest, according to a spokesperson of the Junta military government.

Notably, to mark the country's traditional New Year festival, the Junta on Wednesday (Apr 17) announced a pardon for over 3,300 prisoners under a regular amnesty.

In a statement, the Myanmar military leaders also said that the remaining prisoners, except those convicted of serious offences including murder, terrorism and drug charges, will have their sentences cut by one-sixth.

The heat 

Speaking to members of the press, Junta spokesperson Major General Zaw Min Tun said the extreme heat was a reason for the relocation.

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Emphasising the need to protect ageing prisoners from heatstroke, he said: "Since the weather is extremely hot, it is not only for Aung San Suu Kyi ... For all those, who need necessary precautions, especially elderly prisoners, we are working to protect them from heatstroke."

This development follows widespread international calls for the release of Suu Kyi, a Nobel laureate who has been under military detention since the 2021 coup.

Why is Aung San Suu Kyi in detention?

Suu Kyi is currently facing a 27-year sentence on various charges, including treason and bribery, after being jailed in closed-door, military-controlled trials widely denounced as fraudulent across the globe. 

The pro-democracy leader was found guilty of over a dozen crimes, including incitement, election fraud, corruption, and violating a state secret law. She and her supporters have vehemently denied the charges since her detention. 

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For over two years, there has been little to no information about Suu Kyi's condition. Recently, rumours of her being unwell have been floating and her health in confinement has been a point of concern. 

Previously, reports in February from her son, Kim Aris, noted that the Nobel laureate remains in stable spirits "even if her health is not as good as it was in the past".

The National Unity Government (NUG), a shadow government opposing the military rule, as per Reuters, has acknowledged the move to house arrest as a positive step but insisted on the unconditional release of Suu Kyi and Myint. 

NUG spokesperson Kyaw Zaw, in a statement to Reuters, stressed that "moving them from prisons to houses is good, as houses are better than prisons. However, they must be unconditionally freed."

"They (the Junta) must take full responsibility for the health and security of Aung San Suu Kyi and U Win Myint," he added. 

Myanmar since the coup

Since the 2021 coup, the country has descended into a civil war, which has to date resulted in the loss of thousands of lives. Even international sanctions imposed on the military regime have failed to halt the escalating violence. 

(With inputs from agencies)