Myanmar's reclusive former military dictator, Than Shwe, appears to have surfaced in public for the first time in almost four years in a photograph on Facebook showing him being taught to use an iPad by a young girl.
The former strongman is reviled by many Burmese for the brutal methods used to supress pro-democracy activists during his 19-year rule, and he disappeared from public view after his junta transferred power to a semi-civilian, reformist government in 2011.
On Thursday, Than Shwe's grandson, Nay Shwe Thwe Aung, posted an undated photograph of the 82-year-old sitting in an opulent room looking intently at an iPad as a young girl, identified in local media as his granddaughter, points to the screen.
The photograph cannot be authenticated by Reuters and Nay Shwe Thwe Aung did not respond to a message requesting comment. While keeping a low profile, Than Shwe still casts shadow of Myanmar.
The Facebook photo garnered more than 4,500 "likes", including one by Ye Htut, Myanmar's information minister.
"My role model," said a commenter identified as Thant Zin. "We sure miss your leadership!"
The situation has changed dramatically over the past couple of years and many of Myanmar's citizens have embraced social media, especially Facebook.
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