Myanmar’s military regime to free thousands of prisoners in amnesty
Al Jazeera
Myanmar’s military rulers announced an amnesty for 5,864 prisoners to mark Independence Day, state media reports.
Myanmar’s military rulers will release 5,864 prisoners, including 180 foreigners, under an amnesty to mark the country’s 77 years of independence from British colonial rule, state media said.
The military said on Saturday that it had ordered the release “on humanitarian and compassionate grounds” and would commute the life sentences of 144 people to 15 years, according to state-run MRTV television.
Details were not provided of what the prisoners had been convicted of and the nationalities of the foreign detainees, who were set to be deported on release, were not known.
The Associated Press news agency said the foreigners to be released could include four Thai fishermen who were arrested by Myanmar’s navy in late November after patrol boats opened fire on Thai fishing vessels in waters close to their maritime border in the Andaman Sea.
Thailand’s prime minister has said she expects the four to be released on Independence Day.
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