Yangon (AFP) – 12/02/2022. 08:39
Over 800 prisoners released in amnesty in Myanmar
- Myanmar’s military council announced Saturday that it will release more than 800 prisoners
- Military Council spokesman Zaw Min Tun explained that the amnesty includes prisoners from Rangoon
- Last year, the Military Council released nearly 23,000 detainees on the occasion of Union Day
The military council announced in Myanmar On Saturday, more than 800 prisoners will be released as part of an amnesty on the occasion of Union Day.
Military Council Chairman Min Aung Hlaing said in a statement that based on an “amnesty order to commemorate the Diamond Jubilee of Union Day” which falls on Saturday, 814 prisoners will be released.
Military Council spokesman Zaw Min Tun explained that the amnesty includes prisoners from Rangoon, without specifying whether the Australian academic Sean Tornell Among the released.
Tornell is an Australian economics professor who worked as an advisor to civilian leader Aung San Suu Kyi when he was arrested in February, days after the military coup.
He is accused of violating Burma’s Official Secrets Act and faces a maximum sentence of 14 years in prison.
Human rights groups have expressed concern about the charges against Tornell, especially after the Australian embassy was denied access to one of his court hearings in September.
Last year, the military council released nearly 23,000 detainees on the occasion of the Union Day, in a move that human rights organizations feared was taken to provide more places in detention centers to imprison opponents.
