Myanmar Junta Announces Prisoner Release Ahead of Independence Day

Myanmar Junta Announces Prisoner Release Ahead of Independence Day
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Myanmar’s military-led government said it will free 6,186 prisoners under an amnesty to mark Independence Day, including 52 foreign nationals, state media reported on Saturday, according to Reuters. Authorities described the move as a humanitarian gesture intended to promote public reassurance, coming a week after the country began a multi-stage general election.

State-run broadcaster MRTV said the amnesty will be accompanied by a nationwide sentence reduction of one-sixth for eligible inmates. However, those convicted of serious offences, including murder, rape, terrorism, corruption, and drug- or arms-related crimes, are excluded from the measure. Officials did not provide details on individual cases.

It remains unclear whether political detainees are among those set to be released. Myanmar has faced prolonged instability since the military seized power in 2021, overthrowing the elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi. She is currently serving a 27-year prison sentence following her detention in the coup.

Human rights groups estimate that more than 30,000 people have been arrested on political charges since the takeover, while ongoing fighting between the military and resistance forces has displaced around 3.6 million people. The recent election, the first since 2020, has been widely criticised internationally as lacking credibility.