Myanmar Shortens Suu Kyi’s Sentence, Lawyer Confirms

Myanmar’s ex-leader Aung San Suu Kyi has had her sentence reduced.

Suu Kyi, aged 80, was serving a 27-year sentence for various offenses. Allies claim these were politically motivated to keep her isolated. The charges included incitement, corruption, election fraud, and violating state secrets law.

The reduction is by one-sixth, but it’s unclear if she’ll serve the rest of her time under house arrest, according to her lawyer.

President Min Aung Hlaing has approved an amnesty for 4,335 prisoners. This follows similar moves in the past six months. Amnesties are typically enacted around Independence Day and New Year.

Hlaing staged a military coup against Suu Kyi’s democratically elected government in 2021. He was elected president on April 3, despite international criticism of the vote as neither free nor fair.