A senior Myanmar monk who was detained by PDF forces while visiting Shwebo has been released after two months, according to sources close to the matter.

Ashin Dr. Visuta, abbot of the Win Win Condensed Milk Myanmar Monastery in India, was freed on January 4, 2026, and has safely arrived in Yangon, a monk familiar with the situation told Eleven Media. Ashin Dr. Visuta had been conducting missionary work in India and was briefly visiting his hometown of Shwebo when he was detained.

He was arrested on November 6, 2025, while traveling from Shwebo to Yangon, when the passenger vehicle he was riding in was stopped by PDF members. Along with the monk, a senior novice and a female lay devotee were also detained.

“The Sayadaw was released yesterday (January 4) and has reached Yangon. His release is confirmed,” the source said. “Because he still has a monastery and disciples in Shwebo, he does not wish to speak publicly about the incident for security reasons. It is unclear whether negotiations or payments were involved, but valuables and vehicles were taken at the time of his arrest.”

Meanwhile, Ashin Vicitta (Shwebo), a monk who had actively shared information on social media calling for the Sayadaw’s release, also confirmed the news in a post on January 5. He expressed gratitude to senior monks, including the IBEC Sayadaw, who assisted in securing Ashin Dr. Visuta’s freedom, stating that the monk had now escaped a life-threatening situation.

Ashin Dr. Visuta is originally from Shwebo and is a senior monk from the Shwebo Maha Gandhayon Monastery.

Since the 2021 political upheaval, more than 100 monks and two Christian pastors have reportedly been killed due to shootings, arrests, and targeted assassinations. While only a small number of monk fatalities occurred during armed clashes, over 90 percent were reportedly killed following accusations and attacks carried out by PDF groups.