YANGON, MYANMAR – The Myanmar junta announced on Friday that deposed State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi has been moved to house arrest, but her son Kim Aris expressed skepticism about the claim, saying he had received no authoritative confirmation of her wellbeing.
The military regime, which seized power in February 2021, had kept Suu Kyi’s whereabouts a secret for months, fueling speculation and concerns about her safety. The junta’s statement on Friday was met with a mix of relief and skepticism from Suu Kyi’s supporters.
“We have taken the decision to move Lady Suu Kyi to house arrest,” said General Coon Myat Aung, a spokesperson for the military regime. “We will not reveal any further details at this time.”
However, Kim Aris, who has been a vocal advocate for his mother’s release, expressed doubts about the claim. “I have received no confirmation from anyone authoritative that Lady Suu Kyi is safe,” he said in a statement on social media. “I urge everyone to be cautious and not jump to conclusions based on unconfirmed reports.”
Suu Kyi, who was sentenced to 11 years in prison for election rigging and other charges, was initially kept under house arrest at her home in Naypyidaw after the military coup. However, she was transferred to an unknown location several months ago, sparking widespread concern about her safety.
The secrecy surrounding Suu Kyi’s new location has raised questions about the junta’s intentions and the conditions under which she is being held. Human rights groups have accused the regime of human rights abuses and restrictions on freedom of movement and speech.
Despite the junta’s claims that Suu Kyi’s health is stable, there are concerns about her well-being. Her lawyer, Min Aung Hlaing, told Reuters in December that his client was being held in a “very uncomfortable” and “unsuitable” location.
Suu Kyi’s detention has sparked an international outcry, with many countries calling for her release. The United States, the European Union, and other Western nations have imposed sanctions on Myanmar and its military leaders over the coup and human rights abuses.
The situation remains fluid, with Suu Kyi’s supporters holding daily protests and vigils outside the junta’s headquarters in Yangon. The junta has responded by increasing security measures, including deploying troops to suppress demonstrations.
As the world waits for more information about Suu Kyi’s whereabouts and conditions, her son Kim Aris has called on people to remain vigilant and not to jump to conclusions based on unconfirmed reports. “We will continue to fight for Lady Suu Kyi’s freedom and justice,” he said.
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