Myanmar's Aung San Suu Kyi Speaks with Son After Years of Detention

Key summary

Kim Aris, son of Myanmar's former leader Aung San Suu Kyi, spoke with his mother on Thursday after a 20-minute phone call authorized by the military government. Suu Kyi, who has been detained since February 2021 and is serving an 18-year sentence under house arrest in Naypyitaw, described her voice as strong but slightly croaky. She expressed concern for her son's well-being during their conversation. Aris reported that she suffers from pain in her right hand, likely due to tendonitis, and noted that while she claims good health, he remains skeptical about the reliability of military doctors who conduct six-month checkups. The military government recently delivered gardening books sent by King Charles III and announced a phone call, actions seen as part of a diplomatic charm offensive following an election earlier in the year. Suu Kyi was moved to house arrest in April after spending much of her detention in prison or solitary confinement.