Myanmar authorities have released images of Aung San Suu Kyi, the former civilian government leader, speaking by phone with her son Kim Aris for the first time in over five years since her detention following the 2021 military coup.
On 22 Oct 2026 GMT+7, Myanmar authorities released images of Aung San Suu Kyi speaking by phone with her youngest son Kim Aris for the first time in over five years, since the military takeover in February 2021.
Her son, Kim Aris, who lives in London, England, revealed on Facebook that he finally spoke to his mother again after more than five years without hearing her voice. He said hearing her voice again meant more than words could describe. He added that his mother, aged 81, remains unjustly detained and called for the immediate and unconditional release of Suu Kyi and all political prisoners, emphasizing that freedom is not negotiable.
Previously, Kim Aris and Myanmar democracy activists campaigned online demanding authorities provide proof that his mother was alive and disclose her health status, as Suu Kyi has not appeared publicly since the coup and details about her detention location and conditions have been mostly withheld.
Meanwhile, Khai Khai So, spokesperson for President Min Aung Hlaing, confirmed via the Telegram app that the call lasted about 20 minutes. Suu Kyi spoke from a detention site in Naypyidaw, though the exact location was not disclosed, while her son made the call from the Myanmar embassy in London.
Suu Kyi has been detained since the 2021 coup and is currently serving an 18-year prison sentence under house arrest after being convicted on multiple charges, which supporters and human rights groups say are politically motivated.