Over 8,600 Granted Political Amnesty in Myanmar Ahead of Elections

Yangon: A total of 8,665 people in Myanmar have been granted political amnesty, leading to the release of thousands of prisoners. The move comes ahead of the general elections scheduled for December.

According to state-run media outlet MRTV, 8,665 people imprisoned for anti-military activities were either released or had the charges against them dropped.

Detainees at Yangon’s well-known Insein Prison began walking out around 11.30 a.m. Scenes of relatives who had been waiting from early morning welcoming them with joy spread widely on social media. The prisoners were transported out in eight buses.

The military junta stated that the prisoners were freed so they could vote in the December 28 general election.

According to MRTV reports, 3,085 prisoners convicted under the Incitement Law were granted full amnesty. Another 724 people received conditional release. Charges against 5,580 people, including those in hiding or still on trial, were dismissed.

However, 22,708 political prisoners remain in jails across the country. Former State Counsellor and National League for Democracy (NLD) leader Aung San Suu Kyi, ousted in the 2021 military coup, is also still imprisoned. The 80-year-old Suu Kyi is currently serving a 27-year prison sentence.

Among those released are Kyi Toe, a member of the NLD central information team, and journalist Zaw Lin Htut (Phoe Thar), who was arrested in 2021.