Aung San Suu Kyi has been moved from prison to house arrest in Myanmar as part of a prisoner amnesty announced for a major Buddhist holiday, with authorities also confirming a reduction in her sentence.
State media said the decision was taken to mark the Full Moon Day of Kason, which commemorates the birth of the Gautama Buddha. The amnesty covered more than 1,500 prisoners and reduced sentences for others still in custody.
Suu Kyi, 80, had been detained since the military coup of February 1, 2021, led by Min Aung Hlaing, which ousted her elected government. She has not been seen publicly since mid-2021, and only limited images have emerged since her arrest.
Authorities said she has been transferred from a prison in Naypyitaw to an undisclosed residence, where she will serve the remainder of her sentence under house arrest. Her original 33-year sentence—widely criticised by rights groups as politically motivated—has now been reduced to around 18 years following the latest amnesty measures.
The move comes shortly after Min Aung Hlaing assumed the presidency in April, following an election that critics say was designed to consolidate military control. He has framed recent amnesties as steps toward “national reconciliation” and stability.
International reactions have been cautious. António Guterres described the transfer as a “meaningful step” but reiterated calls for the release of all political prisoners and a return to inclusive democratic dialogue.
However, advocacy groups such as Burma Campaign UK dismissed the move as largely symbolic, arguing it is aimed at improving the military government’s image rather than signalling real reform.
Suu Kyi’s detention has remained a focal point of international concern since the coup, which triggered widespread protests and a prolonged conflict across Myanmar. According to monitoring groups, tens of thousands of people have been detained for political reasons since 2021.
A Nobel Peace Prize laureate and long-time figurehead of Myanmar’s pro-democracy movement, Suu Kyi previously spent nearly 15 years under house arrest between 1989 and 2010 during earlier periods of military rule.
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