Myanmar junta grants amnesty to 7,000 prisoners

As part of Myanmar’s diamond jubilee independence anniversary, the junta announced on their propaganda channel Myanmar Radio and Television (MRTV) that 7,012 prisoners had been granted amnesty on 4 January.

It is known that the prisoners were released on the condition that if they commit a crime again, they will serve the remainder of their sentence as well as a new sentence.

According to the MRTV report, all the prisoners who are behind the bar are allowed to be granted a reduction of one-sixth of the prison term except prisoners who are charged with corruption cases.

Murder, rape, Explosive Substances Law, The Unlawful Association Act, The Arms Act, The Arms (Emergency Penalty Held) Act 1949, The Arms (Temporary Amendment) Act 1951, Shan State Arms Order 1924, Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Law 1993, Natural Disaster Management Law, and Counter-Terrorism Law are among the crimes covered by the amnesty.

Thura U Aung Ko, former Union Minister of the Ministry of Religion and Culture under the National League for Democracy-led government, was also released.

According to the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (AAPP), a total of 13,375 people has been arrested and 1,947 has been sentenced to prison since the military coup up until 3 January 2023.