Myanmar's former leader Aung San Suu Kyi meets Red Cross official, president's office says

By Gavin Blackburn Published on 03/08/2026 - 8:13 GMT+2 Share Comments Add Euronews on Google Share Facebook Twitter Flipboard Send Reddit Linkedin Messenger Telegram VK Bluesky Threads Whatsapp The military deposed Suu Kyi in February 2021, jailing the Nobel Peace Prize laureate and triggering an ongoing civil war that has killed more than 100,000 people on all sides. Myanmar's detained former leader Aung San Suu Kyi met with the nation's Red Cross representative on Monday, the president's office said, the first publicised meeting between her and a foreign official since she was ousted in a 2021 military coup. ADVERTISEMENT ADVERTISEMENT The military deposed Suu Kyi in February 2021, jailing the Nobel Peace Prize laureate and triggering an ongoing civil war that has killed more than 100,000 people on all sides. The coup leader and former junta chief, Min Aung Hlaing, was installed as civilian president in April following highly restricted elections. Later that month, Suu Kyi, now 81, was moved to house arrest after Min Aung Hlaing said he had commuted the rest of her sentence. She was detained on a host of charges which rights groups say were concocted to sideline her and her popular National League for Democracy party. The president's office said in a statement that Arnaud de Baecque, the Resident Representative of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) to Myanmar, met with Suu Kyi on Monday morning. Myanmar’s President Min Aung Hlaing waves as he leaves after delivering speech at the Union Parliament in Naypyidaw, 31 July, 2026 AP Photo In photos released by the president's office, Suu Kyi is seen shaking hands with a man who appears to be de Baecque. Another image shows Suu Kyi cutting a birthday cake, and yet another shows the cake with text reading: "Happy Birthday Aunty Suu." The images could not be immediately verified by the AFP news agency but AI tools found no instances of fabrication. "We are happy to see her photo like this if it's really her meeting with the ICRC. We can know now that she's alive," a veteran politician of her party told AFP on condition of anonymity. "However, Aunty should be released immediately as she's being detained unlawfully," the politician said. Related Case on whether Myanmar committed genocide against Rohingya opens at UN courtMyanmar's military junta says hospital it bombed killing dozens was used as based by armed groups Proof of life Authorities have not disclosed the exact location of Suu Kyi's detention in the capital Naypyidaw, nor how many years of her sentence remain. Her son, Kim Aris, a British national, has sought independently verified proof of his mother's life after she was transferred to house arrest. He says he has not heard from his mother, who remains massively popular inside Myanmar. Since the coup, Myanmar has been largely ostracised by the international community, and the 11-nation Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) has excluded the country's leadership from high-level summits. But neighbour Thailand has been leading an effort to bring the once pariah state back in the diplomatic fold, both bilaterally and through the regional bloc. Anti-coup protesters hold images of deposed Myanmar leader Aung San Suu Kyi as they gather in Mandalay, 5 March, 2021 AP Photo Since his change in position, Min Aung Hlaing has travelled to India, China and ASEAN member Laos, and he is scheduled to make an official visit to Thailand this week. Despite the diplomatic outreach, the continued detention of Suu Kyi remains a major sticking point for some nations. The ASEAN bloc has pressed for its special envoy to meet Suu Kyi, but so far Myanmar has refused. Thai Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow told reporters last month that Myanmar's Foreign Minister Tin Maung Swe had assured his regional counterparts during a trip to Thailand that Suu Kyi was "in good health." "We have been told she has been taken care of well but it needs to be proved," Sihasak added. Go to accessibility shortcuts Share Comments Add Euronews on Google Read more US businessman detained in Myanmar over alleged Chamber of Commerce fraud Thai woman in custody after US diplomat found dead in Myanmar, State Department says Son of Myanmar's ousted leader appeals to Macron for help in securing proof of life Red Cross military junta Aung San Suu Kyi Coup Myanmar