Suu Kyi sent to solitary confinement
UN expert says Asean should rethink its approach on Myanmar
Ousted Myanmar leader Aung San Suu Kyi remained in strong spirits after being transferred from house arrest to prison, a source with knowledge of the case said yesterday, and would "calmly" face her new solitary confinement.
Since being deposed in a coup last year, Suu Kyi had been under house arrest at an undisclosed location in Naypyidaw, accompanied by several domestic staff and her dog, according to sources with knowledge of the matter.
The Nobel laureate, 77, left those premises only to attend hearings for her numerous trials in a junta court that could see her handed a prison sentence of more than 150 years.
On Wednesday, she was transferred from house arrest to "solitary confinement in prison", junta spokesman Zaw Min Tun said in a statement.
Her future trial hearings would take place inside a courtroom within the prison compound, he added.
Suu Kyi was in "strong spirits" after the transfer, a source with knowledge of the case told AFP yesterday.
Suu Kyi will be provided with three female staff from inside the prison to look after her, said another source.
Meanwhile, a United Nations expert said yesterday the Southeast Asian bloc Asean should rethink its approach to engaging with Myanmar and demand specific actions and timeframes to end hostilities in the military-ruled country.
Special Rapporteur on Human Rights, Tom Andrews, also called on UN member states to engage formally or informally with Myanmar's shadow National Unity Government (NUG) to help the humanitarian situation, reports Reuters.