Myanmar Junta Moves Ex-Leader Aung San Suu Kyi to House Arrest

Aung San Suu Kyi 

Photographer: Lauren DeCicca/Getty Images

Myanmar’s military-backed government announced Thursday that Aung San Suu Kyi will be moved to house arrest from Naypyidaw Prison to serve her remaining prison term, a conciliatory gesture a few days ahead of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations Summit in the Philippines as the regime seeks international recognition.

The decision is part of a mass amnesty marking the religious holiday known as Buddha Day. The junta also freed more than 1,500 prisoners and reduced one-sixth of the remaining jail term of other inmates including Suu Kyi. Her prison term had already been trimmed to about 22 and 1/2 years, people familiar with the matter said earlier in April.