BANGKOK — The head of Myanmar’s military government granted amnesty to nearly 4,900 prisoners to mark the country’s traditional new year, state-run media reported Thursday, and an independent watchdog said they included at least 22 political detainees.
At least 19 buses with prisoners aboard left Yangon’s Insein prison and were welcomed outside the gate by family members and friends who had been waiting since early morning.
Political Prisoners Network-Myanmar, an independent watchdog group that records violations of human rights in Myanmar’s prisons, said in a statement that by its initial count, 22 political prisoners had been freed.
Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, the head of the ruling military council, pardoned 4,893 prisoners, MRTV reported. Thirteen foreigners will also be released, it said.
associated press