Myanmar releases more than 2,000 prisoners held since military coup

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Some activists described the release as a ploy by the ruling army to divert attention from an ongoing security crackdown, and the army is under pressure from Western countries and Myanmar’s neighbors to release thousands of detainees during the protests since it toppled Myanmar’s elected government. Nobel Prize winner Aung San Suu Kyi on February 1.

Many opponents of the military have been detained, and some have been convicted, under a law that criminalizes comments that may cause fear or spread false news and carries a prison sentence of up to three years. Suu Kyi is being tried for a similar charge, among other crimes, and remains in custody.

Military spokesman Zaw Min Tun said most of those released were accused of inciting to join the protests.

“A total of 2,296 people were released. They took part in the protests but not in leadership roles. They did not participate in violence,” he told the Irrawaddy news site.

Reuters was unable to reach Zaw Min Tun for further comment.

Videos posted on social media showed a stream of young detainees streaming from buses from Yangon’s colonial era Insein prison, smiling, waving and embracing family members who cried upon their arrival.

Others showed a series of buses leaving the prison’s back entrance, with passengers leaning out the windows and waving to small crowds gathered outside.

The military has struggled to impose order since taking power, with daily nationwide protests and paralyzing strikes.

The ethnic insurgencies that have plagued Myanmar for decades have erupted again, and civilians angry at the wave of arrests have taken up arms against the security forces.

The director of the Insein prison, Zaw Zaw, told Reuters earlier that about 700 people would be released, without giving reasons. He did not respond to subsequent calls seeking comment.

Myanmar Now news portal said its reporter, Kai Zun Nway, was released after 124 days of incitement charges.

“Like many other political detainees, she was unjustly detained. She suffered a lot in prison. But today, I am happy to see her again in great spirits,” Soe Win, editor-in-chief of Myanmar Now, said in a text. Message.

Irrawaddy said six journalists have been fully released.

The state-run MRT-TV did not mention this release in its evening news bulletin.

Western countries have demanded the release of political prisoners and condemned the army’s seizure of power. Myanmar’s neighbors sought in April a commitment from its military rulers to start a dialogue, end the violence, and release detainees.

The Association for the Assistance of Political Prisoners (AAPP), a non-profit organization based in Thailand, said the mass release was designed to give the impression that the overall military campaign had eased.

“Today’s events are intended to make it appear as if there is a relaxation in the junta’s crackdown. This is not the case,” she said in a statement.

The agency stated that more than 5,200 people are being held. It also says that 883 people were killed – a figure challenged by the military leadership, which has blamed the unrest on “terrorists” among Suu Kyi’s party supporters. Reuters was unable to confirm the numbers.

On Tuesday, the military-run Miawaddy TV said authorities had dropped charges against 24 celebrities on their wanted lists under the anti-seditious law.

Salai Za Uk Ling of the Chin Human Rights Organization, a group from Chin state, a center opposed to the military’s takeover, said the release was “meaningless” and meant to placate the international community.

He said people are still arrested daily in Chin State and elsewhere in Myanmar. Reuters was not immediately able to confirm his comments.

“We will face the same problem until they stop the illegal arrests,” he added. “People will not feel safe in their homes.”

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