Myanmar Reduces Aung San Suu Kyi's Sentence and Frees Ex-President

Myanmar’s military-backed government has reduced the prison sentence of ousted leader Aung San Suu Kyi and granted a pardon to former President Win Myint as part of a mass prisoner amnesty.

Suu Kyi 80, was serving a 27-year sentence on various charges, including corruption and election fraud charges her supporters maintain were politically motivated. According to her lawyer, her sentence has been reduced by one-sixth. However it remains unclear if she will be moved from an undisclosed location to house arrest.

The move follows an amnesty granted by President Min Aung Hlaing for over 4,300 prisoners to mark the Myanmar New Year. Win Myint, who served as president until the 2021 coup was among those freed under "specified conditions."

The United Nations has "taken note" of the reductions but continues to call for the immediate release of all arbitrarily detained individuals. U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres emphasized that a viable political solution requires an immediate end to violence and inclusive dialogue.

Myanmar has been embroiled in civil war since the 2021 military takeover. Min Aung Hlaing assumed the presidency on April 3 following recent elections that Western governments and critics have dismissed as a sham intended to solidify military rule.