Myanmar Military Regime Releases 2,296 Prisoners, Drops Charges Against 24 Celebrities
JAKARTA - Myanmar's military regime released more than 2,000 detainees on Wednesday, among them journalists and others detained on sedition charges for taking part in protests, local media reported.
The releases were described by some activists as a tactic by the ruling military to distract from the ongoing security crackdown.
Myanmar's military regime is under pressure from Western countries and neighbors to release thousands of people detained during protests since toppling the government of Nobel Laureate Aung San Suu Kyi on February 1.
Many opponents of the military have been detained, some convicted under a law that criminalizes comments that can cause fear or spread fake news, with sentences of up to three years in prison.
Myanmar military spokesman Zaw Min Tun said most of those released had been charged with sedition for joining the protests.
"A total of 2,296 people have been released. They took part in the protests but not in a leading role. They did not participate in the violence," he said. Reuters was unable to reach Zaw Min Tun for further comment.
Videos posted on social media showed a stream of mostly young prisoners getting off the bus from Yangon's colonial-era Insein prison, smiling, waving, and embracing crying family members as they arrived.
Another showed a row of buses leaving the prison's back door, with passengers leaning from windows and waving at the small crowd gathered outside.
The military has struggled to maintain order since taking power, with daily protests across the country and crippling strikes. The ethnic armed insurgency that has plagued Myanmar for decades has flared up again with the coup, and civilians angered by the wave of arrests have taken up arms against security forces.
Prison chief Insein Zaw Zaw previously told Reuters that about 700 people would be released, without giving a reason. He did not respond to subsequent calls for comment.
News portal Myanmar Now said its reporter Kay Zon Nway was released after 124 days of being charged with sedition.
"Like many other political prisoners, he was unfairly arrested. He has suffered a lot in prison. But today, I am happy to see him again with great enthusiasm," said Swe Win, Chief Editor of Myanmar Now in a text message. Meanwhile, The Irrawaddy said six journalists were released.
On Tuesday, army-run Myawaddy television said authorities had dropped charges against 24 celebrities on the wanted list under the anti-sedition law.
Separately, the Aid Association for Political Prisoners (AAPP) said the mass releases were engineered to give the impression that the military crackdown had eased.
"Today's events are meant to make it appear as if there is relaxation in the junta's suppression. This did not happen," it said in a statement.
As of June 29, the AAPP recorded that a total of 883 people had been killed and 6,421 others detained, since the Myanmar military coup on February 1 last.
Salai Za Uk Ling of the Chin Human Rights Organisation, a group from Chin state, the center of opposition to the military takeover, said the release was meaningless and meant to appease the international community.
He said people were still being arrested every day in Chin State and elsewhere in Myanmar. Reuters could not immediately confirm his statement.
"We will face the same problem until they stop the unlawful arrests. People will not feel safe in their homes," said Salai Za.
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Myanmar Coup. The VOI editorial team continues to monitor the political situation in one of the ASEAN member countries. Casualties from civilians continue to fall. Readers can follow the news covering the Myanmar military coup by clicking this link.