Aung San Suu Kyi appears healthy in first confirmed outside contact for 2.5 years

Image source, Myanmar Military Information CommitteeImage caption, Suu Kyi's son has mounted an international campaign demanding proof of life for the democracy icon

Detained Burmese leader Aung San Suu Kyi has been allowed to meet a delegation from the International Federation of the Red Cross, the first confirmed outside contact with her since a letter to her son two and a half years ago.

In photographs of the meeting released by the military government Suu Kyi appeared to be healthy.

She was detained shortly after the armed forces deposed her government in 2021, and sentenced to 33 years in jail on what are widely viewed as trumped-up charges, though her sentence has been reduced and she has been moved to house arrest.

Despite repeated assurances from the military that Suu Kyi is alive and well, they have never provided any convincing evidence of this.

Her son Kim Aris has in recent months mounted an international campaign demanding proof of life for the 81-year-old democracy icon.

Now a delegation from the ICRC has been allowed to meet her – her first confirmed meeting with anyone outside the government for nearly four years.

Photographs released of her with the ICRC team show Suu Kyi looking relaxed and well, although no details of her state of health have been given, nor of what they talked about.

Image source, Myanmar Military Information CommitteeImage caption, Aung San Suu Kyi was recently moved to house arrest

The Myanmar government, still headed by coup leader Min Aung Hlaing and dominated by the military despite an election held earlier this year, is trying to end its diplomatic isolation in a series of official visits to neighbouring countries.

Among the top demands being made of Myanmar's military leadership is that they end the aerial bombardment of opposition-held areas, start negotiations to end the civil war, and release Aung San Suu Kyi.

They have so far rejected those calls, but the publication of this morning's meeting suggests they may be willing to accede to the last demand.

To play this video you need to enable JavaScript in your browser.This video can not be played

Watch: The rebels at the front line of Myanmar's civil war

Aung San Suu Kyi: The Myanmar democracy icon detained for years

Millions opposed military rule in Myanmar. Is their dream of a revolution over?

Inside Myanmar, rebels are losing ground as military forces men into army

PreviousNext0:35'I think there's a deal' - Trump on calling off Iran strikes. 00:00:35, play video'I think there's a deal' - Trump on calling off Iran strikes1:29How pioneering surgery in the womb helped baby Theo. 00:01:29, play videoHow pioneering surgery in the womb helped baby Theo0:36Ariana Grande to 'take a step back' from public life. 00:00:36, play videoAriana Grande to 'take a step back' from public life1:05Singapore bans Massive Attack over Palestine display. 00:01:05, play videoSingapore bans Massive Attack over Palestine display1:08"It feels like #MeToo never happened" 00:01:08, play video"It feels like #MeToo never happened"1:26At the scene of deadly Moscow bomb blast. 00:01:26, play videoAt the scene of deadly Moscow bomb blast1:29How to advocate for your health. 00:01:29, play videoHow to advocate for your health1:25Can you solve this fiendishly difficult Victorian brain teaser? 00:01:25, play videoCan you solve this fiendishly difficult Victorian brain teaser?1:04How a TikTok video saved a London shoe shop. 00:01:04, play videoHow a TikTok video saved a London shoe shop1:31Having tea with Florence Nightingale. 00:01:31, play videoHaving tea with Florence Nightingale1:22The most Wuthering Heights day ever. 00:01:22, play videoThe most Wuthering Heights day ever0:55Why do doctors have such bad handwriting? 00:00:55, play videoWhy do doctors have such bad handwriting?0:51Is there a brain drain in working class communities? 00:00:51, play videoIs there a brain drain in working class communities?0:55The longest journey possible in Great Britain. 00:00:55, play videoThe longest journey possible in Great Britain0:53Crowds line Amsterdam's canals for Pride boat parade. 00:00:53, play videoCrowds line Amsterdam's canals for Pride boat parade1:07How do wildfires start? 00:01:07, play videoHow do wildfires start?1:31Where is Ceuta and why do migrants want to go there? 00:01:31, play videoWhere is Ceuta and why do migrants want to go there?0:41Children's bus journeys free in England this August. 00:00:41, play videoChildren's bus journeys free in England this August1:25Why Fifa dropped plans to sell stakes in the World Cup. 00:01:25, play videoWhy Fifa dropped plans to sell stakes in the World Cup1:04Three squares, one line. Can you solve it? 00:01:04, play videoThree squares, one line. Can you solve it?Top storiesFA set to withdraw support for Fifa president Infantino

Woman has pioneering womb surgery to fix 'miracle' baby with intestines outside its body

Trump suggests new talks with Iran to begin on Monday

Woman has pioneering womb surgery to fix 'miracle' baby with intestines outside its body

The Papers: Police warn on early release and 'le rip-off'

Starting uni? What to know about the free NHS meningitis B jab in England

How parents and pupils took on 'cruel', 'authoritarian' schools - and won

The change that may help you get a mortgage as a first-time buyer

'No guarantees' - joyful Glasgow cannot banish all Commonwealth doubts

Woman who survived holiday balcony fall grieving 'old life'

'What was my fault?': How India's exam paper leak ended young lives

Get news, tips and ideas for your family with our Summer Essential newsletter

Davis and his team return to tackle a complex case

What's the best way to keep your home cool?

A twisty mystery starring Nikki Amuka‑Bird and John Simm

Unmasking the criminals hiding behind deepfakes

Glasgow hailed for saving Games as baton passes to Amdavad

Ariana Grande to take a break from public life amid 'endless' scrutiny

How parents and pupils took on 'cruel', 'authoritarian' schools - and won

Police warn on early release and 'le rip-off'

Aung San Suu Kyi appears healthy in first confirmed outside contact for 2.5 years

Woman has pioneering womb surgery to fix 'miracle' baby with intestines outside its body

What are the 'luteal uglies'? And how they're affecting women

Trump suggests new talks with Iran to begin on Monday

New Spider-Man film sees second-biggest ever global opening weekend

Man arrested after death of nine-year-old girl found injured in industrial estate