BANGKOK, Thailand: In a move that was part of a prisoner pardon tied to a Buddhist religious holiday, Myanmar's military-backed government shortened the prison sentence of ousted leader Aung San Suu Kyi and placed her under house arrest on April 30.

Two legal officials, who spoke anonymously because they feared punishment, said the latest move would cut Aung San Suu Kyi's sentence by one-sixth. They did not give the exact remaining time, but based on earlier reductions, the 80-year-old Nobel Peace Prize winner is expected to still have more than 13 years left in prison.

Legal officials and state media said this was the second amnesty in two weeks, following the release of more than 4,500 prisoners on April 17. It is still unclear how many political prisoners, including those jailed for opposing military rule in Myanmar, were included in the release.

State media reported that 1,519 prisoners, including 11 foreigners, were granted amnesty. It also said that sentences for other prisoners were reduced by one-sixth to mark the Full Moon Day of Kason, also known as Buddha's Birthday and the day of his passing.

The amnesties came shortly after Senior General Min Aung Hlaing became president on April 10, following an election that critics said was neither free nor fair and designed to keep the military in power.

In his inauguration speech, he said the government would grant amnesties to promote unity, justice, and peace.

Suu Kyi was arrested on February 1, 2021, when the military took power from her elected government.

She was first sentenced to 33 years in prison in 2022 on several charges. Her supporters and human rights groups said these charges were meant to damage her reputation, justify the military takeover, and stop her from returning to politics.

Her sentence was reduced to 27 years in August 2023 and then cut again by more than four years on April 17.

She is being held at a secret location in the capital, Naypyitaw.

There were reports last week that she might be moved to house arrest as part of the pardon, but the government has not confirmed this.

Very little information about her condition is available. Reports in 2024 and 2025 suggested her health was getting worse, including low blood pressure, dizziness, and heart problems, but these reports have not been confirmed. Her lawyers have not been allowed to meet her in person since December 2022.

The military takeover in 2021 led to widespread protests, which were violently suppressed, starting a civil war that has killed thousands.

According to a rights group, 22,047 people have been detained in Myanmar since the coup.

Suu Kyi, the daughter of independence hero Aung San, spent nearly 15 years under house arrest between 1989 and 2010.

Her strong opposition to military rule made her a global symbol of peaceful resistance and earned her the Nobel Peace Prize in 1991.