The Junta has transferred State Counselor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and President U Win Myint from prison to house arrest. Major General Zaw Min Tun, the Junta’s spokesperson confirmed the news to VoA and BBC.

“Since the weather has become extremely hot, it is crucial not just for Aung San Suu Kyi, but for all those requiring necessary precautions particularly elderly prisoners. We are  striving to shield them from heatstroke”, he said.

On the other hand, the relocation of the two former leaders was purportedly to facilitate a meeting with the Chinese ambassador, with unverified reports suggesting that they have already accepted the proposed meeting.

Previously, U Win Myint was held at Taungoo Prison, while Daw Aung San Suu Kyi was incarcerated at Naypyidaw Prison.

The Junta also relocated National League for Democracy (NLD) party chairman U Win Htein from Mandalay Central (Obo) Prison to Mandalay General Hospital on the evening of April 9 for medical care.

Since the coup, Beijing has repeatedly dispatched its special envoy to Myanmar. One of the issues the envoy has formally raised is the well-being of Suu Kyi. He has reportedly asked—to no avail—to meet her. When she was in power, Suu Kyi steadily built up a good relationship with Beijing. China has several multibillion-dollar infrastructure projects in Myanmar. Chinese officials in the past confided to Myanmar friends that they trusted Suu Kyi more than the country’s corrupt generals.

The Irrawaddy has reported that following the news of Suu Kyi’s transfer to a new location, Myanmar opposition groups widely shared unconfirmed reports that the Chinese ambassador will finally be allowed to meet with her.

Suu Kyi, 78, has been detained since the Myanmar military overthrew her elected civilian government in a 2021 coup. She is serving 27 years in prison for convictions ranging from treason and bribery to violations of the telecommunications law—charges she denies. U Win Myint received a 14-year prison sentence on 8 charges.