Myanmar’s military-backed government has confirmed that detained former leader Aung San Suu Kyi met with a representative of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), marking one of the few publicly acknowledged meetings involving the Nobel Peace Prize laureate since her detention following the 2021 military coup.
Government spokesperson Khaing Khaing Soe said in a message posted on Telegram that Suu Kyi met with Arnaud de Baecque, the ICRC’s resident representative in Myanmar, in the capital, Naypyidaw.
The government also released photographs showing the 81-year-old Nobel laureate, dressed in traditional Burmese attire, meeting the ICRC official. One of the images showed her cutting a cake.
The ICRC did not immediately comment on the meeting, and Reuters said it was unable to independently verify the date or location of the encounter.
The development comes amid growing international concern over Suu Kyi’s health and well-being, which has remained largely unknown during her years in detention.
Nay Phone Latt, spokesperson for Myanmar’s shadow National Unity Government (NUG), said the group was awaiting independent confirmation of the meeting from the ICRC and reiterated its demand for Suu Kyi’s unconditional release.
Suu Kyi has been detained since the military overthrew her elected government in February 2021. She was initially sentenced to a combined 33 years in prison on multiple charges, though her prison term was later reduced to 18 years.
Following the installation of former junta chief Min Aung Hlaing as Myanmar’s president after military-backed elections in April, Suu Kyi was transferred from prison to house arrest, according to the military authorities.
Despite repeated requests from ASEAN member states, including Thailand and the Philippines, as well as international envoys seeking independent access to Suu Kyi, Myanmar’s military government had until now declined to grant such meetings.
The confirmed meeting with the ICRC is likely to draw renewed international attention to Suu Kyi’s condition and Myanmar’s ongoing political crisis.
Source: Reuters