Myanmar military releases more than 23,000 prisoners

Myanmar's new ruling junta is releasing tens of thousands of prisoners Friday as angry protests against the military coup continue for the seventh straight day. Some 23,314 prisoners are set to be granted amnesty and released on Union Day, a national public holiday observing unification of the country, Gen. Min Aung Hlaing said that, it is unclear what offenses the prisoners were convicted of.

While mass prisoner releases are common on national holidays in Myanmar this is the first such amnesty from the new junta, which seized power in a coup on February 1, ousting democratically elected leader Aung San Suu Kyi and detaining key government officials.

In a statement Friday, the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (AAPP) expressed serious concern that the amnesty was to clear space for the detention of political prisoners. In addition to the release, prisoners who are serving sentences for crimes committed before January 31, 2021, for any offense will also have their sentences reduced, according to the military statement.

Min Aung Hlaing said the prisoner amnesty was part of an effort to build a democratic country with disciplines.

There is no indication that Suu Kyi or other government ministers or officials detained in the coup will be released as part of the amnesty. Nor is the amnesty is unlikely to cool protesters' anger toward the military generals.

Protests and civil disobedience campaigns continued in towns and cities across the country Friday. Videos and live streams posted online showed several groups marching in the biggest city Yangon, including medical workers and soccer fans. Large gatherings are also expected at the United States, Chinese and British embassies in Yangon. The rallies have so far been largely peaceful but police have been recorded using water cannon against protesters. Police have also faced allegations they have deployed live rounds.