Myanmar reduces ex-leader Aung San Suu Kyi's sentence, her lawyer says

Her lawyer says the former leader’s sentence had been reduced, though it was unclear if she would be moved to house arrest

Myanmar State Counselor Aung San Suu Kyi talks during a news conference with India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Naypyitaw, Myanmar Sept 6, 2017. Reuters

Myanmar has reduced the sentence of imprisoned ex-leader Aung San Suu Kyi, her lawyer told Reuters on Friday.

Suu Kyi, 80, was serving a 27-year sentence for a litany of offences her allies said were politically motivated to keep her at bay, ranging from incitement and corruption to election fraud and violating a state secrets law.

The sentence has been cut by one-sixth, but it remains unclear whether the Nobel Peace Prize winner will be allowed to serve the rest of her sentence under house arrest, the lawyer said.

Myanmar's new President Min Aung Hlaing has approved an amnesty for 4,335 prisoners, state television reported on Friday, the third such move in the past six months. Amnesties typically take place in Myanmar each year to mark Independence Day in January and New Year in April.

A spokesperson for the military-backed government did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Min Aung Hlaing staged a military coup against a democratically elected government led by Suu Kyi in 2021, plunging the country into turmoil. He was elected president on Apr 3 in polls that were widely criticised by international observers as neither free nor fair.