Credited from: CHANNELNEWSASIA
Aung San Suu Kyi, the detained former leader of Myanmar, had a significant meeting with Arnaud de Baecque, the resident representative of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), marking her first publicized encounter with a foreign official since the coup in February 2021. This meeting occurred amidst ongoing concerns regarding her health, as she has been in detention for a prolonged period under charges widely viewed as politically motivated, according to Reuters, ChannelNewsAsia, and South China Morning Post.
The meeting took place in Naypyitaw, where Suu Kyi was seen in images released by the government, celebrating her birthday with a cake inscribed with "Happy Birthday Aunty Suu." Her exact location and health conditions remain ambiguous, as no foreign representatives have been permitted to meet her since her detention began, as stated by sources including Reuters and ChannelNewsAsia.
Political figures and the public alike have reacted to the sight of Suu Kyi in the meeting; a veteran politician from her party expressed relief, stating, "We can know now that she’s alive." However, there is significant ongoing pressure for her release, with many considering her detention unlawful. The meeting has sparked renewed international scrutiny amid the longer backdrop of military actions in Myanmar, reports South China Morning Post.