Myanmar has reduced the prison sentence of former civilian leader Aung San Suu Kyi as part of a wider amnesty announced by the country’s military-backed administration, her lawyer confirmed to Reuters on Friday (April 17).
The 80-year-old Nobel Peace Prize winner had been serving a 27-year sentence after being convicted on multiple charges, including incitement, corruption, election fraud and violations of the state secrets law. Her supporters have consistently rejected the charges, describing them as politically motivated, while Suu Kyi herself had previously dismissed them as “absurd.”
According to her lawyer, the sentence has now been reduced by one-sixth. However, it remains unclear whether she may be allowed to serve the remainder under house arrest, as her current whereabouts and conditions of detention have not been publicly confirmed.
Separately, state media reported that President Min Aung Hlaing approved a sweeping pardon affecting 4,335 prisoners, marking the third such amnesty in the past six months. The releases are typically issued during major national occasions, including Independence Day in January and the New Year period in April.
Among those freed was former president Win Myint, an ally of Suu Kyi who served from 2018 until the military coup in 2021. State broadcaster MRTV stated that he was granted a pardon along with a reduction in his remaining sentence under specific conditions.
A spokesperson for the military-backed government did not immediately respond to media requests for comment on the latest developments.
The 2021 military takeover ousted the elected government led by Suu Kyi and Win Myint, triggering widespread unrest that escalated into a prolonged civil conflict. The political crisis has since destabilised the country, drawing sustained international concern.
Min Aung Hlaing, who led the coup, was later installed as president following elections held in December and January, which were widely criticised by opposition groups and Western governments as lacking credibility and conducted under heavy restrictions.
