2024-01-04 10:22:02
BANGKOK (AP) — Myanmar’s military government on Thursday pardoned nearly 10,000 prisoners to mark the 76th anniversary of its independence from Britain, but it was not immediately clear whether those released would include some of the thousands of political prisoners jailed for opposing it. to the board.
The head of the military junta, General Min Aung Hlaing, pardoned 9,652 prisoners to commemorate the date, state television MRTV reported.
In addition, the general granted amnesty to 114 foreigners who are imprisoned and will be deported, MRTV reported.
The release of the inmates is expected to begin on Thursday and last several days. At Insein prison in Yangon — known for decades for housing political prisoners — relatives gathered at the doors from early in the morning.
The identities of those who benefited from the pardon were not immediately available. There was no indication that among them was Aung San Suu Kyi, whom the military has held virtually incommunicado since the military coup that seized power from his elected government in February 2021.
Suu Kyi, 78, is serving 27 years following being convicted in a series of politically charged trials initiated by the military. The charges once morest him include illegal importation and possession of intercoms, electoral fraud, corruption, violation of coronavirus restrictions, violation of the official secrets law and sedition.
Her supporters and independent analysts maintain that the cases once morest her are an attempt to discredit her and legitimize the military’s coup d’état, while preventing her from participating in the elections promised by the army, for which there is still no date.
the military, for which no date has yet been set.
According to the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners, a rights organization, 25,730 people have been arrested on political charges since the uprising. Of them, 19,930 remained imprisoned as of Wednesday, he added.
At least 4,277 civilians, including pro-democracy activists, have been killed by security forces in the same period, the group said.
The majority of those detained are being held on charges of inciting fear, spreading false information or agitating once morest government officials.
In the Southeast Asian nation, the mass release of prisoners is common during big holidays.
In the capital, Naypyidaw, the military junta marked the anniversary with a national flag-raising ceremony and a small military parade at City Hall.
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