Suu Kyi Jail Term Reduced as Myanmar Grants Mass Amnesty

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Yangon: Myanmar authorities have reduced the prison sentence of detained former leader Aung San Suu Kyi, her lawyer said on Friday, as the country’s new president approved a wider amnesty covering thousands of inmates.

Suu Kyi, 80, had been serving a 27-year sentence after being convicted on multiple charges including incitement, corruption, election fraud and violating a state secrets law. Her supporters have long said the charges were politically motivated.

Her lawyer said the sentence has now been reduced by one-sixth. It remains unclear whether she could be allowed to serve the rest of her term under house arrest.

State television reported that President Min Aung Hlaing approved an amnesty for 4,335 prisoners, the third such move in the past six months.

The release list includes 179 foreign nationals who will be deported, according to the report.

Authorities also said some death sentences would be commuted to life imprisonment, life terms reduced to 40 years, and other prisoners granted one-sixth sentence reductions.

Myanmar has remained in turmoil since the 2021 military coup that ousted Suu Kyi’s elected government, sparking nationwide protests and armed resistance.

Rights group Assistance Association for Political Prisoners says more than 30,000 people have been detained on political charges since the coup.

Min Aung Hlaing, 69, was elected president by parliament on April 3, formally consolidating his hold on power. During his inauguration, he said peace, stability and reconciliation would be priorities as the country’s civil conflict continues.