Emmanuel Macron makes impassioned plea for release of Aung San Suu Kyi amid health concerns

French President Emmanuel Macron has called for the immediate release of former Burmese leader Aung San Suu Kyi after learning of her worsening health problems in military custody.

Mr Macron wrote to the 80-year-old to say he was “very concerned” to hear from her son about the deterioration of her health and difficulty in accessing appropriate care “in the context of an unfair detention”.

“We continue to call for your immediate and unconditional release, as well as that of President Win Myint and all those imprisoned for political reasons since the military coup of February 1, 2021,” he wrote.

Suu Kyi, the 1991 Nobel Peace Prize laureate for her non-violent struggle for democracy and human rights, has been imprisoned since the military coup deposed her elected government.

She faces a 27-year sentence for charges including incitement, corruption and election fraud, all of which she denies.