Aung San Suu Kyi Speaks to Her Son by Phone for the First Time in More Than Five Years

Detained former Myanmar leader Aung San Suu Kyi, 81, held a consular phone call with her son Kim Aris, who lives in the UK, via the Myanmar embassy in London. It was their first contact in more than five years. The call took place on Thursday from 08:30 to 08:50 GMT, Myanmar presidential spokesperson Khin Khin Soe said.

Sevara AzamovaFirst published on tafs uz 2 min read
Aung San Suu Kyi Speaks to Her Son by Phone for the First Time in More Than Five Years

The key facts

  • Aung San Suu Kyi spoke to her son Kim Aris by phone for the first time in more than five years — the call went through the Myanmar embassy in London from 08:30 to 08:50 GMT.
  • Suu Kyi was arrested after the February 2021 coup and sentenced to 27 years in prison; in April this year she was moved to house arrest in Naypyidaw.
  • The call followed the delivery to her of two books and a sealed letter from King Charles III of the United Kingdom.

First Conversation in Five Years

Detained Myanmar politician Aung San Suu Kyi, 81, spoke to her son, who lives in the United Kingdom, by phone on Thursday — their first family contact in more than five years. Myanmar presidential spokesperson Khin Khin Soe said on Telegram that the consular phone call with her son Kim Aris took place via the Myanmar embassy in London from 08:30 to 08:50 GMT.

Son's Reaction

After the call, Aris, according to Irrawaddy News, said: 'One phone call is not regular family access. Family access is not freedom.'

Context of the Arrest and Sentences

Suu Kyi was arrested after Myanmar's current president Min Aung Hlaing overthrew the government of her party, the National League for Democracy, in a military coup in February 2021. Military courts sentenced her to a total of 33 years in prison; in August 2023 the term was reduced by six years — to 27 years. In April this year she was moved to house arrest in the capital Naypyidaw. The military brought 19 charges against her — ranging from incitement and election fraud to corruption; with the sentence reduction, five charges were dropped. She rejects all the charges.

Preceding Events and the Situation in the Country

The first family conversation took place after the authorities on Monday delivered to Suu Kyi two books and a sealed letter sent by King Charles III of the United Kingdom. According to the publication, since the 2021 coup thousands of people have been killed and wounded in the country, and internal ethnic clashes have intensified. Min Aung Hlaing was appointed president in April this year after stepping down as head of the armed forces, known as the Tatmadaw.

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