Myanmar releases new Suu Kyi photos as King Charles sends package to ‘special prisoner’

On October 20, Myanmar released new photos of detained Nobel laureate Aung San Suu Kyi, describing her as a "special female prisoner" for the first time since the military coup in 2021. The military leader, Min Aung Hlaing, installed as civilian president in April, has kept Suu Kyi in house arrest following elections that excluded her party.

She was met by Myanmar's presidential spokeswoman on Monday to receive a package from Britain's King Charles III, consisting of two books about soil and a sealed diplomatic communication. The package arrived alongside images of Suu Kyi meeting two men with their backs to the camera, suggesting a room similar to previous public appearances.

AFP's fact-checkers found no signs of AI manipulation in the latest photos. Suu Kyi remains detained on charges accused of being orchestrated to reinstate the military's rule, which has governed Myanmar since its independence. Min Aung Hlaing claimed to be "extremely lenient" toward her, according to a Time magazine interview. The UK Foreign Office declined to comment on whether British diplomats attempted to deliver the package personally or were denied permission to do so.

The UK government condemns Suu Kyi's "arbitrary detention" and urges for her immediate and unconditional release.