‘She is alive’: Myanmar’s Suu Kyi meets Red Cross official in first post-coup visit

Myanmar's detained democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi met with the nation's Red Cross representative on Monday, marking the first publicized encounter with a foreign official since her ousting in a 2021 coup. The military ousted Suu Kyi in February 2021, imprisoning her and sparking a civil war that has resulted in over 100,000 casualties.

Former junta chief Min Aung Hlaing, installed as civilian president in April, held free elections shortly thereafter. Suu Kyi was then moved to house arrest following allegations from Min Aung Hlaing that the remainder of her sentence would be commuted. She was detained on multiple charges that rights groups claim were fabricated to sideline her and her National League for Democracy party.

In photos released by the president's office, Suu Kyi is seen shaking hands with Arnaud de Baecque, the resident representative of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) to Myanmar, and cutting a birthday cake with a celebratory message. While the images' authenticity remains unverified, AI tools found no evidence of fabrication.

A veteran party politician expressed happiness at the photo, emphasizing the need for Suu Kyi's immediate release, citing her unlawful detention. Suu Kyi's son, Kim Aris, stated that the ICRC was unable to examine his mother by a physician, but she appeared healthy and in good spirits. Aris, living in London, hopes to speak with his mother soon and urges other nations to maintain pressure on Myanmar to release her and other political prisoners.