Myanmar junta to free more than 7,000 prisoners under amnesty, announces election plans
- Announcement marks the country’s 75th anniversary of independence from British rule; it was not immediately clear if any political detainees would be freed
- Detailed plans for an election later this year were announced by junta chief Senior General Min Aung Hlaing; the military will control the entire process
Myanmar’s military government will release 7,012 prisoners under an amnesty to mark the country’s independence day, state broadcaster MRTV reported on Wednesday, as the junta chief praised some countries for maintaining support for his nation.
The Southeast Asian country has faced international isolation and Western-led sanctions since the military seized power from a democratically elected government led by Nobel laureate Aung San Suu Kyi nearly two years ago.
“I want to say thank you to some international and regional countries and organisations and individuals who positively cooperated with us … in the midst of all the pressure, criticisms and attacks,” Senior General Min Aung Hlaing said in a speech to mark Myanmar’s 75th independence day.
“We are closely working with neighbouring countries such as China, India, Thailand, Laos and Bangladesh. We will work together for border stability and development,” Min Aung Hlaing said in a speech at a parade in the capital Naypyidaw, complete with flag-waving civil servants, marching soldiers, tanks and a fly-past by military jets.
Min Aung Hlaing also detailed plans for an election later this year. The first real move toward holding polls could occur at the end of this month, when the latest six-month extension of a state of emergency is completed.