From prison, Myanmar's ex-leader Suu Kyi is sent to house arrest

NAYPYIDAW, Myanmar: On April 16, a Myanmar government spokesperson said that detained former leader and Nobel laureate Aung San Suu Kyi has been moved from prison to house arrest.

In comments reported by four media outlets, junta spokesperson Major General Zaw Min Tun 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."

Under a previous junta, Suu Kyi, 78, was held under house arrest for a total of 15 years at a family residence on Yangon's Inya Lake.

The Myanmar military has detained her since it overthrew her government in a 2021 coup.

For crimes ranging from treason and bribery to violations of the telecommunications law, she faces 27 years in prison. She denies all the charges.

In February, her son Kim Aris said she was being held in solitary confinement and that she was in good spirits.

Global leaders and pro-democracy activists have repeatedly called for her release.