Overview
- The military government said it would pardon 6,134 prisoners, including 52 foreigners, and reporters saw buses carrying released inmates depart Yangon’s Insein Prison.
- Officials described the clemency as an act of humanity and compassion, and holiday amnesties of this type are a regular practice in Myanmar.
- Those freed included model Nang Mwe San, detained in 2022 over photos authorities deemed provocative, and former minister Ye Htut, according to reporting.
- A staggered parliamentary election is underway, and the junta-aligned USDP claimed more than 90% support after the first round, with additional voting set later in January.
- Observers have denounced the process as a sham election, citing the exclusion of most opposition groups and the absence of polling in many rebel-held areas.