Political prisoners released in Myanmar mass amnesty
Excited families greeted their relatives who were released from Insein Prison in Myanmar as part of the mass amnesty implemented by the country’s military rulers ahead of the election.
At least eight buses carrying prisoners were greeted by relatives and friends who had been waiting outside the Yangon prison gate since early morning on Thursday.
The military government granted amnesty to more than 3,000 people arrested for opposing army rule and dropped charges against more than 5,500 people, state broadcaster MRTV reported on Wednesday.
It was stated that the amnesty aims to ensure that eligible voters can participate in the December 28 elections.
An official from Insein Prison confirmed that the inmates would be released from Thursday, but did not say how many or who they were. Inside
After past amnesties, evacuations lasted several days.
There was no indication that the release of prisoners would include former leader Aung San Suu Kyi, who led the National League for Democracy government that was ousted in a military coup in 2021 and has been held in virtual incommunicado since then.
Among those released were Kyi Toe, a member of the NLD’s central information committee, and freelance journalist Zaw Lin Htut, also known as Phoe Thar.
Both were arrested in 2021.
“I am determined to work for my aunt until I am 90,” Kyi Toe told reporters as she stepped outside the prison gates.
Aunty is a common expression of respect for Suu Kyi among senior NLD members.
He said other senior NLD members remained in prison.
Critics have argued that the election in Myanmar will be neither free nor fair due to the lack of free media and the arrest of most of the leaders of the disbanded NLD.
MRTV said the National Defense and Security Council, a constitutional administrative government body controlled by the military, granted amnesty to 3,085 prisoners convicted under the criminal code’s sedition law, which makes it a crime to spread comments that create public unrest or fear or to spread false news.
While parole will be provided to 724 detainees who will have to serve the remainder of their old sentences if they commit a new crime, 5,580 people who are under investigation or in hiding will be granted amnesty and provocation cases will be closed.
Some 22,708 political prisoners, including Suu Kyi, were detained as of Wednesday, according to the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners, an independent organization that keeps a detailed tally of detentions.
Suu Kyi, 80, is serving a 27-year prison sentence after being convicted in what her supporters called politically confused prosecutions.
The military takeover in 2021 was met with mass non-violent resistance, which has since escalated into a widespread armed struggle.
