The Myanmar military’s detention of Aung San Suu Kyi during this week’s coup has revived memories of her more than 15 years of house arrest at a lakeside villa in Yangon during the country’s last period of junta rule, reports AFP.
Under the cover of darkness early Monday, soldiers took Myanmar’s de facto leader — who became a beacon for democracy in the 1990s and a Nobel Peace Prize laureate — back into custody.
A lawmaker from her National League for Democracy (NLD) party, who requested anonymity, said Suu Kyi was under house arrest again, this time at her official residence in the capital Naypyidaw.
“We were informed not to worry. However we are worrying. It will be a relief if we can see a photo,” he said.
NLD press officer Kyi Toe said neighbours had spotted Suu Kyi walking around within the walls of her compound on Tuesday morning.
Yangon-based analyst Khin Zaw Win said it appeared Suu Kyi was safe for now.
“All reports indicate she is not in danger,” he said.
But it is likely the military has made a strategic decision to keep her hidden, Herve Lemahieu from Australia’s Lowy Institute said.
“I think the idea is very much to keep her away from public view… she’s being kept in Naypyidaw… far from all the major population centres where protesters may rally. I think that’s a deliberate choice,” Lemahieu told AFP.
It is in the military’s interest to ensure Suu Kyi remains in good health, he said.
“Senior officials realise if she were to fall ill or die whilst under arrest people would suspect foul play and that may well provoke a very severe backlash,” Lemahieu said.❐
