Myanmar junta to free 5,864 prisoners under amnesty

Myanmar celebrates 76th anniversary of the founding of its national army

Myanmar's junta chief Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, who ousted the elected government in a coup on February 1, presides an army parade on Armed Forces Day in Naypyitaw, Myanmar, March 27, 2021. REUTERS/Stringer/File Photo

Source: REUTERS

Myanmar's military government will release 5,864 prisoners, including 180 foreigners, under an amnesty marking the Southeast Asian nation's independence day, state media said on Saturday.

Myanmar has been in turmoil since early 2021, when the military overthrew an elected civilian government and violently suppressed pro-democracy protests, sparking a nationwide armed rebellion.

The junta has said it will hold elections this year, but the plan has been widely condemned by opposition groups as a sham.

Among those still imprisoned by the junta is the country's former leader, Nobel laureate Aung San Suu Kyi.

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The 79-year-old is serving a 27-year sentence tied to 14 criminal charges ranging from incitement and election fraud to corruption. She denies all the charges, according to her lawyers.

This article was produced by Reuters news agency. It has not been edited by Global South World.

By Reuters