Yangon: Hundreds of prisoners were released in Myanmar after the country's junta declared annual pardons in celebration of its independence day, marking a stark contrast to the ongoing conflict and political unrest in the region. The amnesty follows closely on the heels of an election criticized by international observers as lacking legitimacy. According to France24.com, the military, which seized control in a coup in 2021, has been in a prolonged battle with pro-democracy factions, leading to the detention of numerous activists. The release saw a dozen buses filled with freed prisoners leaving Yangon's Insein prison amid cheers from supporters and family members who eagerly awaited news of their loved ones' release. The junta, led by Min Aung Hlaing, announced the pardon of 6,134 Myanmar nationals and the release and deportation of 52 foreign prisoners. The government stated that the amnesty was granted on "humanitarian and compassionate grounds" as the nation celebrated 78 years of independence from Briti sh colonial rule. Outside the notorious Insein prison, known for its harsh conditions, emotional family reunions took place. Some of those freed shared their experiences with AFP, indicating they were imprisoned for non-political offenses, such as drug-related crimes and theft. Among those released was model and former doctor Nang Mwe San, who had been jailed for posting allegedly explicit content online. The release coincides with the junta's ongoing election process, which commenced a week ago. Despite promises of ushering in democracy and reconciliation, the election has been met with skepticism from rights groups and Western officials who label it a façade for continued military dominance. The pro-military Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP) has emerged as a clear frontrunner, claiming a significant majority of the lower house seats in the preliminary results. Notably absent from the ballots was the National League for Democracy (NLD), led by Aung San Suu Kyi, who has remained imprisoned sinc e the coup. The military has previously annulled the results of the 2020 elections, citing unsubstantiated claims of electoral fraud. Historically, Myanmar's government has used prisoner amnesties to honor national holidays and Buddhist festivals. This year's release follows a similar pattern, with significant numbers pardoned annually to mark independence day and other significant events.
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