Myanmar’s military government has confirmed that deposed leader Aung San Suu Kyi has been transferred to a prison complex in rooms segregated from other detainees.
Suu Kyi was arrested on February 1, 2021, when the military seized power from her elected government.
She was initially held at her home in Naypyitaw, the capital, but was later moved to at least one other location.
For most of the past year, she has been held at an undisclosed location in Naypyitaw, which is widely believed to be a military base.
Major General Zaw Min Tun, the spokesman for the ruling military council, confirmed in a text message that Ms. Suu Kyi was transferred to the main prison in Naypyitaw on Wednesday, where she is being held separately in “well-maintained” conditions.
The news about her transfer was reported on Wednesday but not officially confirmed.
He said Ms. Suu Kyi, who had already been convicted in several cases, had been transferred to prison by the law.
A legal officer familiar with Ms. Suu Kyi’s legal process said she was being held in a newly constructed building housing three police officers, whose job is assisting her.
Her ongoing trials will also be held in prison, in another newly built facility. The official spoke anonymously as he is not authorized to release information about her affairs.
Suu Kyi, who turned 77 Sunday, spent about 15 years in detention under a previous military government. Still, virtually everything was under house arrest at her family home in Yangon, the country’s largest city.
The secret location where she had been held for most of the past year was a residence.
She had nine people to help her there, and was allowed to keep a dog that was a gift arranged by one of her sons, said another legal official, who also asked not to be named out of fear of repercussions from the government.
The official said neither her aides nor the dog accompanied Suu Kyi to her new prison quarters.
Suu Kyi faces multiple charges, including corruption. Her supporters say the leads are politically motivated to discredit her and legitimize the military’s takeover.
She has already been sentenced to 11 years on charges of illegally importing and possessing walkie-talkies, violating coronavirus restrictions, sedition, and a first count of corruption.
The prison where Ms. Suu Kyi is being held is just west of Naypyidaw. It was built in 2014 to temporarily detain detainees awaiting trial.
One of the legal officials said Ms. Suu Kyi’s first hearing in the prison’s new courtroom was held Thursday regarding violating the Official Secrets Act.
All of Ms. Suu Kyi’s cases have been held in closed hearings. Her lawyers are prohibited from discussing the proceedings.
Ms. Suu Kyi’s co-defendants in the case are Australian economist Sean Turnell, her adviser, and three former cabinet members.
Mr. Turnell is also held in the same prison as Ms. Suu Kyi.
Ms. Suu Kyi is also on trial for 11 corruption charges, each carrying a maximum sentence of 15 years in prison, and an amount of electoral fraud, carrying a maximum sentence of three years.
