--- title: "Myanmar's Detained Leader Aung San Suu Kyi Allowed Contact with Family for First Time in Five Years" url: https://newscentral.site/myanmar-s-detained-leader-aung-san-suu-kyi-allowed-contact/ language: en publisher: "News Central Site" section: "World" published: 2026-10-23T19:22:33.000Z updated: 2026-10-24T03:24:46.246Z id: 1d544324-4126-481f-9144-16b626f1a244 source: "ABC News International https://abcnews.com/International/wireStory/myanmars-detained-leader-suu-kyi-traded-health-concerns-137519897" attribution: "Link to https://newscentral.site/myanmar-s-detained-leader-aung-san-suu-kyi-allowed-contact/ and name News Central Site when you quote or summarize this story." --- # Myanmar's Detained Leader Aung San Suu Kyi Allowed Contact with Family for First Time in Five Years Aung San Suu Kyi was allowed to make contact with her family for the first time in five years after a phone call with her son Kim Aris on Thursday. Myanmar's detained leader Aung San Suu Kyi was allowed to make contact with her family for the first time in five years after a phone call with her son Kim Aris on Thursday. Aris spoke from Myanmar's embassy in London and connected with his 81-year-old mother at Naypyitaw, where she is being held under house arrest as part of an 18-year prison sentence. The call lasted for 20 minutes, giving the pair a chance to catch up after their long separation. Kim Aris reported that Suu Kyi's voice was somewhat strained, like she had a cold, but otherwise sounded strong and much like herself. This may be some comfort to supporters who have been concerned about her well-being during her prolonged detention. Suu Kyi has been held in Myanmar since February 2021 when the country's military seized power from her elected government. Her current imprisonment is part of an 18-year prison term, which critics argue was imposed on bogus and politically motivated charges. The call with Aris marked a rare moment of communication between Suu Kyi and the outside world during her time in detention. Aris's first priority was reassuring his mother that he was taking care of himself during their conversation, which marked a rare moment of communication between Suu Kyi and the outside world. The call was also an opportunity for Aris to gauge his mother's health, a concern that has weighed heavily on him since her detention. However, the information provided left him unsatisfied and eager for more details about her condition. Aris has been a vocal advocate for his mother's release, using innovative methods to raise awareness and funds for humanitarian aid in Myanmar. This past June, he completed an 81-kilometer skateboarding marathon in London, which served as both a celebration of Suu Kyi's birthday and a call to action for her freedom. The marathon was also a way for Aris to highlight the need for proof of life from his mother, given the limited information available about her well-being during her time in detention. The 2021 coup in Myanmar has left many questions unanswered about the detained leader's well-being. Aris Suu Kyi's son recently revealed that his mother expressed concerns about her hand condition during their first phone call in five years. According to Aris, his mother reported experiencing severe pain in her right hand, which she believes is caused by tendonitis. Despite this issue, she claimed to be generally healthy but has been undergoing regular six-month check-ups with military doctors. The reliability of these medical evaluations remains uncertain. The location and conditions of Suu Kyi's detention are also shrouded in mystery. Initially held in prison for much of her confinement, she was transferred to house arrest this past April. Aris described her living situation as solitary confinement, with limited privileges and a small garden that is more scrubland than lush greenery. The recent delivery of gardening books sent by King Charles III and diplomatic correspondence appears to be part of a charm offensive aimed at boosting the military-backed government's international reputation. This development comes amidst Suu Kyi's phone call with her son, which seems to be an attempt to showcase the regime's supposed goodwill towards its detained leader. The recent phone call between detained leader Aung San Suu Kyi and her son has sparked speculation about the regime's intentions to normalize relations with its international counterparts. The Myanmar military appears to be making efforts to repair its image by engaging in diplomatic outreach with neighboring countries and even the US, which had been a vocal critic of military rule. --- Source: [ABC News International](https://abcnews.com/International/wireStory/myanmars-detained-leader-suu-kyi-traded-health-concerns-137519897) Published by News Central Site: https://newscentral.site/myanmar-s-detained-leader-aung-san-suu-kyi-allowed-contact/