Myanmar releases nearly 4,900 people, including political prisoners

Myanmar's military leader has pardoned nearly 4,900 prisoners. The amnesty was issued on the day the country marks its traditional New Year, state media reported. An independent group said at least 22 political prisoners were among those released.

At least 19 buses of prisoners left Insein Prison in Yangon and family members came out to the prison gate to welcome their loved ones on the morning of April 17.

The Myanmar Network for Political Prisoners, an independent monitoring group that documents human rights abuses in Myanmar's prisons, said in a statement that according to initial information, at least 22 political prisoners have been released.

General Min Aung Hlaing, head of the ruling military council, pardoned 4,893 prisoners, MRTV reported. Thirteen foreigners were also released and deported from Myanmar, state media reported.

Other prisoners received sentence reductions, except for those convicted of serious charges such as murder and rape, or those convicted for security reasons.

If those released break the law again, they will have to serve the remainder of their original sentence, in addition to any new punishment.

Mass amnesties during the holidays are not uncommon in Myanmar, the country formerly known as Burma.

Myanmar has been ruled by a military junta since February 1, 2021, when the military overthrew the elected government led by civilian leader Aung San Suu Kyi. The military's takeover sparked a massive peaceful resistance, which later turned into an armed conflict. The country is now facing a civil war.

According to the Association for the Assistance of Political Prisoners, an independent organization that collects detailed data on arrests and casualties related to political conflicts in the country, some 22,197 political prisoners – including Suu Kyi – were still in detention as of last Friday.

Many of these political prisoners are accused of “incitement,” a charge widely used to arrest critics of the government or military. Anyone found guilty of this criminal offense can be sentenced to up to three years in prison./ REL (A2 Televizion)