News Digest

Myanmar releases 3,073 prisoners in new amnesty

Myanmar pardoned and began freeing 3,073 prisoners Tuesday in an amnesty that virtually excluded political prisoners despite a presidential pledge to free all such detainees by year’s end. Most of those released had committed minor crimes. The release came a month ahead of a summit of Asia-Pacific leaders to be held in Myanmar. The Ministry of Information announced the amnesty on its website, saying the prisoners were being freed “on humanitarian grounds.” It did not mention political prisoners.

The majority are criminals. We told the government earlier that releasing criminals increases crime and measures should be taken to prevent it.

Bo Kyi of the independent Assistance Association for Political Prisoners

Those freed Monday included at least eight former senior military intelligence officers detained after the 2004 ouster of former intelligence chief and Prime Minister Khin Nyunt. Khin Nyunt was removed from office after fellow junta leaders accused him of insubordination and being responsible for a major corruption scandal involving his subordinates. He was given a 44-year sentence to be served under house arrest, and was freed in a 2012 amnesty.