Myanmar to free prisoners in celebration of Independence Day

Myanmar's military government will release over 6,000 prisoners and reduce sentences for other inmates as part of a mass amnesty on Saturday to mark the 77th anniversary of the country’s independence from Britain.

It remains unclear whether the amnesty will include any of the thousands of political detainees imprisoned for opposing the military regime since the February 2021 coup that ousted the elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi. The coup sparked widespread nonviolent resistance, which has evolved into a larger armed struggle.

State-run MRTV reported that Senior Gen. Min Aung Hlaing, head of the military government, authorized the release of 5,864 prisoners from Myanmar, along with 180 foreign nationals who will be deported. Mass prisoner releases are common during holidays and significant events in Myanmar.

The released foreign prisoners could include four Thai fishermen detained by Myanmar’s navy in late November after patrol boats fired on Thai fishing vessels near the maritime border in the Andaman Sea. Thailand's prime minister has indicated that the four are expected to be freed on Independence Day.

The release terms specify that if the freed detainees break the law again, they will serve the remainder of their original sentence, along with any new penalty.

Additionally, Min Aung Hlaing commuted the life sentences of 144 prisoners to 15 years. No details were provided about these individuals. The report also stated that the sentences of all other prisoners will be reduced by one-sixth, except for those convicted under laws frequently used to target opponents of military rule, such as the Explosive Substances Act, the Unlawful Associations Act, the Arms Act, and the Counter-terrorism Law.

While details about the released prisoners were sparse, many are believed to have been detained for their involvement in protests, including under Section 505(A) of Myanmar’s penal code, which criminalizes spreading information that incites public unrest or fear.

The release process began on Saturday but may take several days to complete. At Insein Prison in Yangon, a notorious facility known for housing political detainees, families gathered early in the morning at the gates.

There was no indication that the release would include Aung San Suu Kyi, who has been held under strict isolation since the military coup. The 79-year-old Suu Kyi is serving a 27-year sentence after being convicted in politically motivated trials orchestrated by the military.

Her supporters and independent analysts argue that the charges against her are aimed at undermining her reputation and legitimizing the military's seizure of power while preventing her from participating in the promised elections, for which no date has been set.

According to the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners, 28,096 people have been arrested on political charges since the coup. As of Friday, 21,499 remained in detention. The group also reports that at least 6,106 civilians have been killed by security forces, not including casualties from combat.

Myanmar was a British colony until it regained independence on January 4, 1948. The military government marked the anniversary with a flag-raising ceremony in the capital, Naypyitaw.