Former Myanmar leader Aung San Suu Kyi has been transferred from prison to house arrest following a reduction in her sentence under a nationwide amnesty, state media and military officials confirmed on Thursday.

The move comes as authorities marked the Full Moon Day of Kason, a significant Buddhist holiday, with a mass pardon that reduced Suu Kyi’s sentence by one-sixth. Initially sentenced to 33 years in late 2022 and later reduced to 27, her term now stands at 18 years, leaving more than 13 years still to serve. Officials said the transfer was intended to demonstrate the military government’s “benevolence and goodwill,” though her exact location has not been disclosed.

Suu Kyi, who has been detained since the 2021 Myanmar coup, has not been seen publicly since a court appearance in May 2021. According to Deutsche Welle (DW), state television released a recent image purportedly showing her seated on a bench, though the timing of the photograph could not be independently verified.

Her legal team is expected to meet her in person for the first time since December 2022, signaling a potential shift in access. A member of the team indicated the upcoming meeting would go beyond routine prison visits and involve substantive discussions.

Meanwhile, her son, Kim Aris, called for “verified proof of life” and renewed access to communication, stressing that relocation does not equate to freedom.

International reaction has been mixed. A spokesperson for Antonio Guterres described the move as a “meaningful step” toward political progress, while rights group Burma Campaign UK dismissed it as a public relations effort aimed at legitimizing continued military rule.

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