Uncertainty surrounds the position and status of Myanmar’s incarcerated civilian leader Aung San Suu Kyi and former president Win Myint after the Myanmar junta surprised the country with a pardon for the pair today.

The junta’s propaganda outlets Myawaddy and MRTV said that some of the cases of State Counselor Aung San Suu Kyi and President Win Myint were pardoned by the Military Council, following yesterday’s announcement of another six-month-long extension of the state of emergency.

Both have been imprisoned since the February 2021 coup, with Aung San Suu Kyi found guilty of 19 offenses carrying a total prison sentence of 33 years and Win Myint found guilty of eight charges carrying a total prison sentence of 12 years.

Among the charges imposed on Aung San Suu Kyi, five charges were dropped: Charge 35/2021 (505-b), Charge 37/2021, Charge 71/2021, Charge 45/2021, and Charge 38/2021. This leave 14 cases.

How many years were removed is currently unclear. A junta spokesperson allegedly claimed a six-year reduction in the sentences, with cases still in dispute through the Supreme Court.

Win Myint was sentenced to 12 years in prison in eight cases, two of which were pardoned, according to the Military Council.

It is unclear where the two leaders are. There have been reports that they were removed from prison in Naypyidaw and put under house arrest. Rumours over the last few days suggested Aung San Suu Kyi might have been moved to her lakeside house in Yangon, but there is nothing to indicate this has yet to be confirmed.

To commemorate the Full Moon of Waso on 1 August, the Military Council announced that 7,749 political prisoners serving sentences in various camps and detentions will be pardoned on the condition that if they commit the crime again, they will continue to serve the remaining penalties.

On religious occasions, the Military Council frequently releases thousands of political prisoners, but only a small number of political prisoners are included this time.