Myanmar's military government announced on April 16, 2026, that detained former leader Aung San Suu Kyi has been moved from prison to house arrest, according to state media reports. The 80-year-old Nobel laureate had been held in detention since the February 2021 coup.
The announcement, carried by state-run MRTV, said Suu Kyi was moved due to extreme heat and health concerns. She has been serving a 27-year sentence on charges widely condemned as politically motivated. Her exact location was not disclosed, but reports suggest she remains in Nay Pyi Taw.
Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy party was ousted in the 2021 military takeover, sparking widespread protests and a violent crackdown. The junta has faced international isolation and sanctions. The move to house arrest is seen as a possible gesture amid ongoing conflict with armed resistance groups.
Human rights groups have called for her unconditional release, noting that house arrest still restricts her freedom. The United Nations and Western governments have not yet commented on the development.
