What’s behind the move?
“Up to this point, what we do know is that (the move) was framed as an act of compassion to alleviate the senior leaders’ suffering from the very high warm temperatures,” said the ISEAS-Yusof Ishak think-tank’s senior fellow Moe Thuzar.
But she added that uncertainty over the exact locations they had been moved to “raises questions”.
Observers have pointed out there could be diplomatic strings being pulled.
Prior to the reported prison transfer, there had been several high-level foreign engagements with the Myanmar army.
This included former Thai foreign minister Don Pramudwinai’s meeting with Ms Aung San Suu Kyi in July last year.
And in recent months there has been shuttle diplomacy between China and Myanmar, including a meeting between Chinese special envoy Deng Xijun and Tatmadaw – Myanmar’s military – chief Min Aung Hlaing.
Asked if China could have played a role in Ms Aung San Suu Kyi’s move out of prison, University of Hong Kong assistant professor Brian Wong said “the probability is most certainly there”.
“China has substantial interests in expedient resolution of the crisis in Myanmar in virtue of the damage on its economic interests; the spillover in terms of border insecurity,” he said.
“It’s clear Beijing is losing patience and also to some extent, faith in the ability of the Tatmadaw to deliver order and security.”
