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Myanmar Junta Frees 4,335 Prisoners in New Year Amnesty

The move fits a holiday pardon pattern that signals power consolidation after a disputed vote.

Overview

  • State media said Friday that 4,335 inmates will be released under the Thingyan New Year amnesty, including 179 foreign nationals slated for deportation.
  • The order converts all death sentences to life terms, cuts life terms to 40 years, and reduces other prison terms by one sixth.
  • Reports said former president Win Myint was freed, and local outlets also listed award‑winning filmmaker Shin Daewe among those released.
  • Aung San Suu Kyi was not freed, and her lawyer told Reuters her 27‑year sentence was trimmed by one sixth to 22.5 years.
  • Rights group AAPP says more than 30,000 people have been jailed for politics since the 2021 coup, while conflict has displaced over 3.5 million people.