Myanmar’s military government has granted amnesty to more than 6,100 prisoners and reduced the sentences of others to commemorate the country’s 78th Independence Day.
The move, announced Sunday, comes amid a monthlong, three-stage election process that critics argue is intended to give the military government an appearance of legitimacy.
State-run MRTV reported that Senior Gen. Min Aung Hlaing, head of the military government, pardoned 6,134 prisoners.
A separate statement said 52 foreign nationals would also be released and deported.
However, no full list of those freed has been published.
While some inmates saw their sentences shortened, those convicted of serious crimes, including murder, rape, or offenses under various security laws, are excluded.
Released prisoners are also warned that any future violation of the law could result in serving both their original sentence and any new penalties.
Prisoner releases in Myanmar typically coincide with holidays or other significant occasions and are expected to continue over several days.
At Yangon’s Insein Prison, infamous for holding political detainees, relatives arrived early, waiting for news. Hundreds gathered outside, holding papers with the names of inmates.
“I am waiting for my dad to be released. He was arrested and imprisoned for doing politics,” said one man outside the prison. “His sentence is about to end. I hope he will be released as soon as possible.”
Despite the amnesty, there was no indication that former leader Aung San Suu Kyi would be among those released.
The ousted leader has been held largely incommunicado since the military takeover in 2021, which followed widespread nonviolent protests that later escalated into armed resistance.
According to the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners, over 22,000 political detainees, including Suu Kyi, remained in custody as of last Tuesday. Many are jailed under broad “incitement” charges, punishable by up to three years, often used to target government critics.
Suu Kyi, now 80, is serving a 27-year sentence following convictions her supporters describe as politically motivated.
Myanmar, once a British colony, gained independence on Jan. 4, 1948. In the capital Naypyitaw, the anniversary was marked with a flag-raising ceremony at City Hall on Sunday.
