MYANMAR’S military government granted amnesty today to thousands of prisoners, mostly political detainees and activists being prosecuted or in hiding.

There was no sign that former leader Aung San Suu Kyi, who was ousted in the military takeover in 2021, would be freed.

But independent media reported that those freed included former members of her government and the National League for Democracy party, including former Naypyitaw mayor Myo Aung.

Journalist Hmu Yadanar Khet Moh Moh Tun, sentenced to 13 years in 2023, was also reportedly released.

State-run MRTV reported that Senior General Min Aung Hlaing pardoned 10,162 prisoners, including 7,337 convicted under counterterrorism laws, which have often used to imprison opposition politicians, journalists and other dissenters.

Another 12,487 being prosecuted or in hiding will have their cases closed, along with 10 foreigners.

The amnesty coincides with Peasants’ Day, a national holiday, and comes two weeks before parliament convenes for its first session in over five years following an election critics condemned as neither free nor fair.

Tinzar Aung, 30, freed from Insein prison in Yangon after a seven-year counterterrorism sentence, said: “I am very happy. I pray that all those who are still in prison will be released.”

Political Prisoners Network — Myanmar counted 324 political prisoners released from 10 prisons.

The identities of those released were not immediately available, but online reports said members of university student unions in Yangon were included in the first group freed.

According to the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners, more than 22,800 political detainees remained incarcerated as of February 27, including the 80-year-old Ms Suu Kyi serving a 27-year sentence.

Mass amnesties to mark holidays are not unusual in Myanmar.