Politics · Other · 2 hrs ago
Aung San Suu Kyi speaks with son for first time in over five years
Kim Aris spoke with his mother, Aung San Suu Kyi, for the first time in more than five years.
The 81-year-old former Myanmar leader is under house arrest in the capital, Naypyidaw, after being detained in the military coup of February 2021.
The coup ousted her elected government and helped plunge Myanmar into civil war.
Suu Kyi is serving an 18-year prison sentence on charges including corruption and election fraud, which she denies.
Her son says one phone call is not enough and has called for regular private family contact and access to independent medical care.
Authorities have recently published photos of Suu Kyi meeting visitors, and analysts say easing restrictions may help the military-backed government seek international legitimacy.
Aris says Suu Kyi and all political prisoners should be released immediately and unconditionally.
Kim Aris said he spoke with his mother, detained former Myanmar leader Aung San Suu Kyi, for the first time in more than five years.
A spokesperson for Myanmar’s military-backed president said the telephone conversation took place through Myanmar’s embassy in London.
Aris said one conversation was not enough and called for regular, direct family contact and independent medical access.
Suu Kyi, 81, was moved from prison to house arrest in April, according to Myanmar authorities.
She has been detained since the military ousted her government in February 2021.
- Who
- Kim Aris spoke with his mother, Aung San Suu Kyi, the detained former Myanmar leader.
- What
- They spoke by telephone for the first time in more than five years.
- When
- Thursday, October 22, 2026.
- Where
- Through Myanmar’s embassy in London, according to a spokesperson for the military-backed president.
- Why
- Not stated
Kim Aris
Myanmar’s military-backed authorities
Family contact
Kim Aris
Aris said one conversation was not regular family access and called for regular, direct and private contact.
Myanmar’s military-backed authorities
Authorities facilitated a telephone conversation through Myanmar’s embassy in London.
Detention
Kim Aris
Aris said his mother remains unjustly detained and called for her release.
Myanmar’s military-backed authorities
Authorities moved Suu Kyi from prison to house arrest in April and have publicised meetings with her.
Myanmar’s military ousted Suu Kyi’s elected government and arrested civilian leaders.
Myanmar authorities said Suu Kyi was moved from prison to house arrest.
Authorities published images of Suu Kyi meeting the country’s Red Cross representative.
Authorities said Suu Kyi received a package from Britain’s King Charles, including books and a sealed diplomatic communication.
Kim Aris said he spoke with his mother for the first time in more than five years.
- First conversation
- More than five years
- Son
- Kim Aris
- Mother
- Aung San Suu Kyi, 81
- Call route
- Myanmar’s embassy in London
- Detained since
- February 2021
- House arrest
- Since April, according to Myanmar authorities
4 sources
Myanmar's Aung San Suu Kyi is allowed a rare phone call during her 18-year sentence
Myanmar’s Aung San Suu Kyi speaks to son for first time in over five years
Aung San Suu Kyi’s son speaks to detained former Myanmar leader for first time in five years
What people are saying
Hearing her voice again means more to me than words can express.
She remains unjustly detained and a single conversation cannot restore the years taken from her or the rights she is still denied.
One conversation is not regular family access.
Above all, my mother and all political prisoners must be released immediately and unconditionally.