YANGON, April 17 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Myanmar will release almost 25,000 prisoners in an amnesty to mark the traditional New Year, the president’s office said on Friday.
President Win Myint said 24,896 people jailed across the country, including 87 foreigners, would be freed unconditionally “to bring delights to the citizens of Myanmar and taking into consideration humanitarian concerns”.
The president gave no details of the crimes the prisoners were convicted of.
Crowds gathered outside Insein prison in the commercial capital of Yangon hoping to greet family members, despite a ban on gatherings to prevent the spread of the coronavirus that has sparked a pandemic.
Myanmar has reported 85 cases of the virus and four deaths.
It was not immediately clear whether the release, which happens annually, would include anyone convicted in connection with acts of dissent against the government. A spokesman for the prison department could not be reached for comment.
When Nobel laureate Aung San Suu Kyi took power in 2016, after more than half a century of military rule, one of her first acts was to release hundreds of political prisoners.
The prison department has said previously there are no political prisoners in Myanmar, but rights groups say dozens of people are in prison because of their political activity.
