Myanmar to free more than 4,000 prisoners in amnesty

Myanmar's new President Min Aung Hlaing has approved an amnesty for 4,335 prisoners, state television reported on Friday, the third such move in the past six months.



The names of those included in the amnesty were not disclosed in the announcement on MRTV.



Amnesties typically take place in Myanmar each year to mark its Independence Day in January and its New Year in April.



Among the 4,335 prisoners to be freed were 179 foreigners, who would be deported, MRTV said.



The report also mentioned commutation of death sentences to life, life sentences to 40 years and term reductions by one-sixth for other prisoners, without elaborating.



The Assistance Association for Political Prisoners, a human rights group, has said more than 30,000 people were detained on political charges since the military, led by Min Aung Hlaing, staged a coup against an elected government in 2021.