Overview

• Senior General Min Aung Hlaing announced the release of 4,893 prisoners as part of Myanmar's Thingyan New Year festival, along with 13 foreign nationals slated for deportation.
• The amnesty explicitly excludes individuals convicted of serious crimes such as murder, rape, and violations under security laws, with no confirmation of significant political detainee releases.
• Independent watchdogs confirmed at least 22 political prisoners were freed, although prominent figures like Aung San Suu Kyi remain incarcerated.
• The announcement comes as Myanmar recovers from a devastating March 28 earthquake that killed over 3,700 people and caused widespread destruction in the central region.
• In a New Year speech, Min Aung Hlaing reiterated plans to hold elections by the end of 2025 and urged opposition groups to resolve conflicts through political means.