Aung San Suu Kyi partially pardoned

This affects five of the allegations for which she was sentenced to a total of 33 years.

The military junta in Myanmar has reduced the prison sentence of jailed Nobel Peace Prize winner Aung San Suu Kyi as part of a mass amnesty. The 78-year-old former President Win Myint will also have part of his sentence waived, state media reported.

The de facto Prime Minister Suu Kyi, who was arrested in the course of the military coup in 2021, was partially pardoned as part of an amnesty for more than 7,000 prisoners on the occasion of the Buddhist Lent. Accordingly, she was pardoned in five of the 19 offenses for which she was sentenced to a total of 33 years in prison, state media reported.

In particular, Suu Kyi’s prison sentences for alleged violations of the country’s import and export laws and rules during the corona pandemic are to be reduced. The most serious allegations, such as corruption, remain according to the information. The partial pardon would reduce her sentence by six years, said junta spokesman Zaw Min Tun.

No sign of life for two years

There has been movement in the case since last week: Suu Kyi was surprisingly transferred from prison to a government building. Before that, for more than two years, there had been almost no information about their exact conditions and condition. Her lawyers had been banned from speaking publicly.

Thailand’s Foreign Minister Don Pramudwinai announced a few weeks ago that he had been able to meet Suu Kyi in prison. He was the first foreign representative allowed to visit the politician. Details about the conversation were not disclosed.

Even the ex-president will have some of his sentences waived

The military’s State Administrative Council also partially pardoned former President Myint, who was arrested at the same time as Suu Kyi following the 2021 coup. The junta spokesman said it would reduce his prison sentence by four years.

The military seized power in Myanmar in February 2021 and overthrew the democratic government of Suu Kyi, which was elected by a large majority. A junta-controlled court later sentenced her to 33 years in prison for numerous alleged crimes. Suu Kyi denies all the charges she was convicted of.

3857 people killed by junta

Many governments, particularly in the West, have long called for the unconditional release of Suu Kyi and thousands of others jailed in the junta’s bloody crackdown on pro-democracy protests following the coup.

UN experts describe the developments in Myanmar as a civil war. Security forces have killed at least 3,857 people since the takeover, according to a census by the Independent Political Prisoners’ Relief Association.

Regime extends state of emergency

Just yesterday, Myanmar’s military government once again extended the state of emergency in the country and postponed the parliamentary elections originally planned for this month. Persistent violence was cited as the reason for the move. “In order to hold a free and fair election and to be able to vote without fear, further security measures are necessary,” said a statement read on television.

What is now the fourth extension of the state of emergency could be a sign that the military has not yet been able to sufficiently consolidate its control over the country. There is armed resistance in Myanmar, as well as peaceful protests and civil disobedience against the military government.