Son of Myanmar's detained former leader Aung San Suu Kyi gives update

Myanmar's detained former leader Aung San Suu Kyi met a Red Cross official - marking the first positive development in years, her son says.

The 81-year-old Nobel Peace Prize winner met Arnaud de Baecque, resident representative of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) to Myanmar, in the capital Naypyidaw on Monday, a government spokeswoman said.

Ms Suu Kyi has been in detention since February 2021 when her elected government was ousted by Myanmar's military in a dawn coup.

Since then, her whereabouts and wellbeing have been difficult to determine, with no foreign leader or envoy having publicly met her and leading to repeated calls for proof she is still alive.

The ICRC confirmed a delegate had met the former leader, but did not name the official.

It said the visit "was carried out in accordance with the ICRC's standards and procedures for visiting people deprived of liberty" and said there had been the "opportunity" to talk to Ms Suu Kyi in private.

Photographs released by the Myanmar government showed Ms Suu Kyi standing unaided and shaking hands with the official.

One picture appears to offer a rare glimpse inside what appears to be her living area, with Ms Suu Kyi also seen cutting a birthday cake inscribed with her name.

The images suggested they may have been taken during a celebration for her 81st birthday in June.

The son of the former leader, Kim Aris, who lives in London, said he had not yet received independent confirmation of his mother's condition or wellbeing.

He added: "This may be a first step, but it must not be the last.

"I hope this leads to further humanitarian progress, including direct contact with my mother, access for our family, credible and independently verified information about her wellbeing, and ultimately her immediate and unconditional release, together with all political prisoners."

The coup which ousted Ms Suu Kyi led to widespread street protests, brutally suppressed by the country's security forces, and to civil war.

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Ms Suu Kyi was originally serving a 33-year sentence for corruption and violating state secrecy rules in what was widely viewed as politically motivated charges.

The sentence was later reduced, most recently in April, leaving her with18 years still to serve, according to her legal team.

(c) Sky News 2026: Son of Myanmar's detained former leader Aung San Suu Kyi gives update