Myanmar junta pardons 4,900 prisoners to mark new year

Myanmar's junta chief pardoned 4,893 prisoners on Thursday to mark the country's traditional new year, state media reported.

The junta also said in a separate statement that it would release 13 foreigners who will be deported from Myanmar.

Around 22,197 political detainees, including Myanmar's military-ousted civilian leader Aung San Suu Kyi, have been in detention as of last week, according to the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners, an independent watchdog in Myanmar. 

However, it was not immediately clear how many political detainees, held for critisizing the military government, were released as part of the mass amnesty.

What else do we know about the release of prisoners?

At least 19 buses carrying prisoners departed Yangon’s Insein Prison, where family members and friends had gathered since early Thursday to welcome them.

Another local watchdog, the Political Prisoners Network, confirmed that at least 22 political prisoners had been released. However, the military government statement did not mention an exact figure. 

According to the terms of release, the freed detainees would have to serve the rest of their initial sentences and a new sentence if they violate the law again.

Other prisoners had their sentences reduced, except those convicted of serious crimes like murder and rape or charged under various security laws.

Junta chief to meet Malaysian Prime minister

The amnesty was announced ahead of the junta chief Min Aung Hlaing's meeting with Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, which was set to take place in Bangkok later on Thursday.

Malaysia is this year's ASEAN chair. ASEAN has previously excluded junta leaders due to lack of peace efforts.

Although Anwar said he would meet the junta chief to discuss the safety of Malaysian aid teams sent after last month's 7.7 magnitude quake.

Edited by: Zac Crellin