Myanmar’s military government announced on Saturday it will release 5,864 prisoners, including 180 foreign nationals, as part of an amnesty to mark the country’s Independence Day.
The Southeast Asian nation has been in political turmoil since the military seized power in a February 2021 coup, ousting an elected civilian government. The takeover triggered widespread pro-democracy protests that were met with a violent crackdown, leading to a nationwide armed rebellion.
The junta has stated its intention to hold elections later this year, but opposition groups and international observers have dismissed the plans as illegitimate.
Among those excluded from the amnesty is Nobel laureate and former leader Aung San Suu Kyi. The 79-year-old remains imprisoned after being convicted on 14 charges, including incitement, election fraud, and corruption. Suu Kyi, who denies all the allegations, is currently serving a 27-year sentence.
The announcement of the prisoner release follows previous amnesties granted by the military government during significant national events. The junta has yet to provide details on the identities of those to be freed or the criteria for their release.
Myanmar’s Independence Day, celebrated on January 4, commemorates the nation’s liberation from British colonial rule in 1948.
