YANGON – Myanmar’s military regime ordered the release of more than 23,000 prisoners on Friday, following a week of fresh arrests targeting allies of ousted leader Aung San Suu Kyi and election officials.
Mass amnesties to empty the country’s overcrowded prison system are common on significant local dates. Friday was a public holiday in Myanmar.
“The State Administration Council… has remitted the punishment of 23,314 prisoners from the respective prisons, jails and camps,” said an announcement in the state-run Global New Light of Myanmar, using the official name of the new army administration.
A separate notice said another 55 foreign prisoners would al…
Keep on reading: Myanmar grants amnesty to more than 23,000 prisoners