Myanmar Detention: Son's London carpenter life central to first call in six years

Aung San Suu Kyi was detained following the 2021 military coup that ended her government's rule. On Thursday, her son Kim Aris spoke with her by phone for the first time since that power grab.

The 20-minute conversation marked their first direct contact in nearly six years. Aris, a 49-year-old carpenter living in London, said his mother’s first words were a question about his health. "My mother is actually alive and well," Aris said. "Hearing her voice has reassured me."

Suu Kyi, 81, faces 18 remaining years of her 33-year sentence for corruption and electoral fraud charges. Khaing Khaing Soe, a spokesperson for Myanmar's military-backed president, confirmed the call was arranged through the Myanmar Embassy in London. He shared separate photographs of the pair on social media.

Aris learned that his mother is held at a residence near the capital, Naypyidaw. He believes police and military personnel surround the fenced-off building, which features a scrubby garden. "From what I can ascertain, she's basically being held in solitary confinement even if she's not in a prison cell," he said. She can read books but likely lacks access to radio, television, or newspapers.

Health concerns have long weighed on the family. Aris reported that she "sounded strong" but suffers from tendonitis in her hand that sometimes prevents her from using it. She told him she receives a health checkup every six months. Aris plans to send a care package containing a mix of healthy food and treats, possibly including Ben's Cookies, a brand founded in Oxford, England.

The military likely monitored the call, leading to a focus on personal topics rather than the ongoing civil war. Aris noted that coup leader Min Aung Hlaing, who became president in January, is traveling abroad to seek legitimacy. "I hope that governments around the world won't be taken in," Aris said. The conflict has killed about 100,000 people, according to the monitoring group ACLED, and has displaced millions.

Nay Phone Latt, spokesperson for the exiled National Unity Government, said the regime likely refuses to release Suu Kyi because her strength could bolster the revolution. Richard Horsey of the International Crisis Group called her status a valuable bargaining card for the military. The U.S. State Department urged the military to hold genuine dialogue and called for her immediate release in August. Aris said his mother believes she gives people strength by sharing their experience.