Myanmar Junta Grants Amnesty to Nearly 6,000 Prisoners on Independence Day

The military government cites humanitarian reasons for the release, which includes 180 foreign detainees and reduced sentences for life prisoners.

The Myanmar military junta announced the release of 5,864 prisoners, including 180 foreigners, in an annual Independence Day amnesty.
The junta stated the decision was made for 'humanitarian reasons and compassion,' though details on the prisoners' offenses and nationalities were not disclosed.
In addition to the amnesty, 144 life sentences were commuted to 15 years of imprisonment.
The announcement comes as the country remains in turmoil following the 2021 coup, with ongoing conflicts between the military and ethnic armed groups over autonomy and resource control.
At the Independence Day ceremony, military officials reiterated calls for armed groups to pursue peaceful resolutions and pledged to hold democratic elections in the future.