Myanmar’s prominent human rights advocate and former leader, Aung San Suu Kyi, has been serving a lengthy prison sentence for various criminal charges in the capital city of Naypyidaw. Due to severe heatwave conditions in the country, Aung San Suu Kyi was temporarily released from prison. However, she has now been placed under house arrest by the military. It is said that this decision was made by the military citing health reasons as a measure of healthcare, rather than keeping her in jail.
Military spokesperson Major General Jo confirmed that Suu Kyi
who is 78 years old, and the former President Win Myint, aged 72, were among the elderly prisoners who were released from jail due to the extreme heat. Jo informed foreign media representatives of this late on Tuesday. However, public announcement of this step has not yet been made in Myanmar.
Aung San Suu Kyi has been serving a 27-year prison sentence for various criminal charges in the capital city of Naypyidaw
Supporters and advocacy groups of Aung San Suu Kyi claim that these charges were politically motivated. Meanwhile, Win Myint was serving an eight-year prison sentence in Myanmar’s Taungoo region.
The political turmoil in Myanmar began in 2021 when the military ousted the elected government. Aung San Suu Kyi was detained and a crackdown on peaceful opposition demanding the restoration of democracy ensued.