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Myanmar junta to free more than 7,000 prisoners under amnesty
MRTV said prisoners convicted of murder and rape, or jailed for charges related to explosives, unlawful association, weapons, drugs and corruption, would not be released.
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Myanmar's Chief Senior General Min Aung Hlaing (center) attends a ceremony to mark the country's 77th Armed Forces Day in Naypyidaw on March 27, 2022. (AFP/STR)
M
yanmar's military government will release 7,012 prisoners under an amnesty to mark the Southeast Asian country's independence day, state broadcaster MRTV reported on Wednesday.
MRTV said prisoners convicted of murder and rape, or jailed for charges related to explosives, unlawful association, weapons, drugs and corruption, would not be released.
It was not immediately clear if any political detainees would be freed.
Earlier on Wednesday, Myanmar troops and weaponry paraded through the military-built capital Naypyidaw to mark the country's independence day, days after the junta jailed democracy figurehead Aung San Suu Kyi for 33 years.
Swathes of the Southeast Asian country have been engulfed by fighting between junta troops and anti-coup rebels since the military seized power almost two years ago.
The junta, which recently wrapped up a series of closed-court trials of Suu Kyi, is preparing for fresh elections later this year that the United States has said would be a "sham."
Tanks, missile launchers and armoured cars rolled through the dawn air to a parade ground in the capital, AFP correspondents said, kicking off a military parade marking 75 years since Myanmar gained independence from Britain.
Civil servants and high school students followed the troops, accompanied by a military band.
Junta chief Min Aung Hlaing was greeted by a 21-gun salute as he arrived at the parade ground.
Russian President Vladimir Putin sent "sincere greetings" and anticipated the "further development" of relations, according to state-run newspaper Global New Light of Myanmar.
Russia is a major ally and arms supplier of the isolated junta, which has said Moscow's invasion of Ukraine was "justified".
Myanmar declared independence from British colonial rule on January 4, 1948 after a long fight championed by General Aung San, the father of ousted civilian leader Suu Kyi.
Independence Day is normally marked with festive street games, marches and gatherings in public parks and spaces.
But since the putsch, celebrations of public holidays have been largely muted as people stay at home in protest against the junta.
