Myanmar Prisoner Pardon

Myanmar began releasing more than 9,000 prisoners from jails on Wednesday, after the president announced an amnesty on the first day of the traditional New Year.

Myanmar President Htin Kyaw pardoned at least 63 political prisoners on the country's traditional New Year today, according to a watchdog group, in his first major political act since he was sworn in last month.

Myanmar President Htin Kyaw signed a pardon for 83 prisoners on the country's New Year day, his office said in a statement today, though it was not immediately clear if the amnesty included political prisoners.

About 60 political prisoners have been freed in Myanmar, a member of Aung San Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy (NLD) told AFP Tuesday, after the government announced a widespread pardon for hundreds of inmates.

Myanmar began releasing more than 9,000 prisoners from jails on Wednesday, after the president announced an amnesty on the first day of the traditional New Year.

Myanmar President Htin Kyaw pardoned at least 63 political prisoners on the country's traditional New Year today, according to a watchdog group, in his first major political act since he was sworn in last month.

Myanmar President Htin Kyaw signed a pardon for 83 prisoners on the country's New Year day, his office said in a statement today, though it was not immediately clear if the amnesty included political prisoners.

About 60 political prisoners have been freed in Myanmar, a member of Aung San Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy (NLD) told AFP Tuesday, after the government announced a widespread pardon for hundreds of inmates.