Saturday April 17, 2021, 8:43 AM
A woman lights a candle while others flash the three-fingered sign of resistance during a candlelight vigil to remember those who died in the military junta’s violent response to anti-coup demonstrations in Yangon, Myanmar Credit: AP
Myanmar s military announced it had pardoned and released more than 23,000 prisoners to mark the new year holiday.
However, it is not clear whether they included pro-democracy activists who were detained in protests after the military coup in February. The coup led to violent protests, where activists were arrested and killed by security forces.
State broadcaster MRTV said military leader Senior General Min Aung Hlaing pardoned the 23,047 prisoners for Burmese New Year, including 137 foreigners who will be deported from Myanmar. He also reduced sentences for others.
Myanmar s junta has announced it has pardoned and released more than 23,000 prisoners to mark the Thingyan New Year holiday.
The gesture was announced by the state broadcaster MRTV, which added that Senior General Min Aung Hlaing had pardoned a grand total of 23,047 prisoners, including 137 foreigners who will be deported from the country in the coming days.
Other prisoners have had their sentences reduced. It is not yet clear whether decision applied to any of the the pro-democracy activists detained in the wake of the military s seizure of power in February.
The move comes amid ongoing daily protests against the military s ousting of the elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi, and the state s use of deadly force to quell the demonstrators.
April 18, 2021
YANGON, MYANMAR (AP) Myanmar’s junta yesterday announced it pardoned and released more than 23,000 prisoners to mark the new year holiday, but it wasn’t immediately clear if they included pro-democracy activists who were detained in the wake of the February coup.
The release was announced on state broadcaster
MRTV, which said that the military leader Senior Gen. Min Aung Hlaing pardoned the 23,047 prisoners, including 137 foreigners who will be deported from Myanmar. He also reduced sentences for others.
Early prisoner releases are customary during major holidays, but this is the second time the ruling junta has done so since it overthrew the elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi, triggering daily protests, arrests and deaths by security forces.
Myanmar’s junta has announced it pardoned and released more than 23,000 prisoners to mark the new year holiday, but it isn't immediately clear if they include pro-democracy activists who were detained in the wake of the February coup
Myanmar pardons prisoners, unclear if coup foes among them
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YANGON, Myanmar – Myanmar’s junta on Saturday announced it pardoned and released more than 23,000 prisoners to mark the traditional Thingyan New Year holiday, but it wasn’t immediately clear if they included pro-democracy activists who were detained in the wake of the military’s seizure of power in February.
The releases were announced on state broadcaster MRTV, which said that junta chief Senior Gen. Min Aung Hlaing had pardoned 23,047 prisoners, including 137 foreigners who will be deported from Myanmar. He also reduced sentences for others.