Suu Kyi’s son urges her release amid reports of worsening heart condition

The detained leader of Myanmar’s ousted elected government, Aung San Suu Kyi, is reportedly suffering from serious health problems and in need of immediate medical attention, according to a statement released by her son Kim Aris on Friday. Aris, who has led calls for his mother’s release since she was first taken into custody by the military in February 2021, said he had recently received reports of her worsening condition in detention. “It is deeply distressing to have heard my mother’s health has taken a turn for the worse,” he said. “She has had ongoing heart complications which have undoubtedly been exacerbated by the conditions under which she is being held.” “She needs to see, and has asked to see, a cardiologist from outside the prison. I have no way of knowing if this has been granted. This is cruel and life-threatening for her.” Suu Kyi, who turned 80 in June, has been held at an undisclosed location in Naypyitaw since she was convicted on a slew of charges in 2022 related to her time in power. Junta-controlled courts sentenced her to a total of 33 years behind bars on 19 charges—all widely seen as politically motivated. On Facebook, Aris reiterated his call for his mother’s release, and that of all others detained by the regime. “She must be freed and so must all political prisoners in Burma. Not just for their sake but for the future of Burma,” he wrote. Former UK Foreign Secretary William Hague also called on the junta to end Suu Kyi’s incarceration. “It is high time that Aung San Suu Kyi was released. It is also a moral and humanitarian imperative that she is given access to proper medical care without delay,” he told the UK-based newspaper The Independent. Suu Kyi’s whereabouts has been the subject of intense speculation. In June, monitor group Myanmar Prison Witness reported that, according to its investigations, she is being held at a military facility 14 miles from Naypyitaw Prison. While the exact location of the facility—identified as Special Operations Unit No. 6—was not given, the group said that it is near the office of junta leader Senior-General Min Aung Hlaing. It also claimed that she has been subjected to psychological abuse at the facility and denied adequate care for a variety of medical conditions.

Suu Kyi’s son urges her release amid reports of worsening heart condition

Concerns continue to grow about the health of the ousted leader, who turned 80 this year

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