Aung San Suu Kyi spoke by phone with her son, Kim Aris, on Thursday, Oct. 22, for the first time in more than five years, but the call did not end her detention or ensure regular contact with her family.
Aris, who lives in the United Kingdom, took the 20-minute call at Myanmar’s embassy in London, according to authorities. His mother remains under house arrest in Naypyidaw after the military removed her elected government in a 2021 coup. Aris said they talked about family matters and avoided sensitive subjects because he understood the conversation would be recorded.
He later told AFP that his mother sounded fairly healthy. He also said he remained worried about her wellbeing at age 81. Myanmar officials released photographs of the pair speaking on the phone.
This followed other rare public updates this week, including images of Suu Kyi receiving a package from Britain’s King Charles III. Aris welcomed the chance to hear her voice. He urged supporters and foreign governments to keep pressing for her release.
He stressed that one conversation did not give him regular access to his mother or make her free.