The Burmese military regime today ordered the release of more than 23,000 prisoners. And over the past week, the military has arrested allies and election officials of former civilian government leader Aung San Suu Kyi.
Today is a national holiday in Myanmar, where mass amnesties are usually granted on important local days to clear the overcrowded prison system.
According to an announcement in the state-run Global New Light of Myanmar, “The State Administration Council (the official name of the new military government) has pardoned all prisons and prisoners. ) has pardoned 23,314 prisoners in various prisons, jails and shelters.”
Another announcement stated that authorities would also release another 55 foreign prisoners. Both orders were signed by junta leader Min Aung Hlaing.
The Burmese military accused last year’s election of fraud and launched a dawn raid on Jan. 1 to arrest Ung San Suu Kyi and other high-ranking political figures.
According to the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners, a local human rights watchdog group, more than 260 people have been detained since the coup and only about 20 have been released.
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