Myanmar's former President Win Myint has been freed as part of a broad prisoner amnesty by newly inaugurated President Min Aung Hlaing.
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Filmmaker Shin Daewe talks to journalists after she was released from Insein Prison in Yangon, Myanmar, Friday, April 17, 2026, following Myanmar President's amnesty to mark the country's traditional new year. Released prisoners, in a bus, are welcomed by family members and colleagues after they left Insein Prison in Yangon, Myanmar, Friday, April 17, 2026, following Myanmar President's amnesty to mark the country's traditional new year. Released prisoners, in a bus, are welcomed by family members and colleagues after they left Insein Prison in Yangon, Myanmar, Friday, April 17, 2026, following Myanmar President's amnesty to mark the country's traditional new year. Myanmar's newly elected President Min Aung Hlaing speaks during a swearing-in ceremony at Union Parliament in Naypyitaw, Myanmar, Friday, April 10, 2026. Released prisoners, in a bus, are welcomed by family members and colleagues after they left Insein Prison in Yangon, Myanmar, Friday, April 17, 2026, following Myanmar President's amnesty to mark the country's traditional new year. – Myanmar's former President Win Myint was freed Friday as part of a broad prisoner amnesty by newly inaugurated President Min Aung Hlaing to mark the traditional New Year, state-run media reported. The pardon order applied to more than 4,500 prisoners, but it was not immediately clear how many people imprisoned for opposing military rule were included and there was no sign that 80-year-old former leaderis Suu Kyi’s longtime loyalist and was elected as president in 2018. He served as president while Suu Kyi led the government as state counsellor because the military-drafted constitution barred her from holding the presidency. He was arrested on Feb. 1, 2021, the same day the military seized power and detained Suu Kyi. He was later given 12-year combined prison sentences for several offenses, which was reduced to eight years in 2023. State-run MRTV television reported that Win Myint, who was in a prison in Taungoo township in Bago region, had received amnesty. Outside Insein Prison in Yangon, buses carrying prisoners were welcomed by relatives and friends who had been waiting since early morning. Among those released was filmmaker Shin Daewe, who was sentenced to life imprisonment under a counterterrorism law in January 2024.following an election that critics say was neither free nor fair and was orchestrated to keep the military's iron grip on power.State media said in addition to the 4,335 prisoners pardoned, nearly 180 foreigners would be released and deported. If the freed prisoners reoffend, they will have to serve the rest of their original sentences in addition to any new sentence, according to the terms of their release. A separate report said death sentences were commuted to life imprisonment, life sentences were reduced to 40 years and prison terms of less than 40 years were cut by one-sixth. Under that measure, Suu Kyi’s 27-year sentence would be reduced by 4 1/2 years, leaving her with 22 1/2 years still to serve. A senior military officer from the capital, Naypyitaw told the Associated Press on Friday that Suu Kyi will be transferred to house arrest as part of the clemency. He spoke on condition of anonymity because he wasn't authorized to release information. Suu Kyi has been serving a prison term on a variety of criminal convictions at an undisclosed location in Naypyitaw and has been In his inauguration speech last week, Min Aung Hlaing said his government would implement amnesties that contribute to social reconciliation, justice and peace and support the country’s overall development.Since the 2021 army takeover, nearly 8,000 civilians have been killed and some 22,170 political detainees, including Suu Kyi, remain jailed, according to the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners, a rights monitoring group. Total deaths in the ongoing conflict are estimated to be much higher. Many political detainees have been held on incitement charges, a law widely used to arrest critics of the government or military and punishable by up to three years in prison. Others have been prosecuted under a counterterrorism law that carries a potential death penalty and has been used to target political and armed opponents, journalists and other dissenters. The human rights advocacy group Burma Campaign UK said in its statement on Friday that the slow, staged release of political prisoners is designed to gain positive publicity while making no real reforms. “If the Burmese military regime were genuine about reform, they could release all 14,000 political prisoners today,” said the group's advocacy and communications officer Minn Tent Bo, referring to the country’s former name. “These people should not have been arrested in the first place. The Burmese military could stop arresting activists and could repeal all repressive laws. They haven’t done that.” Copyright 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.Man arrested in connection with fatal shooting at Circle K off Square Lake BoulevardScore a free Jumbo Shrimp replica jersey on April 18Man fatally shot at Circle K off Square Lake Boulevard on Jacksonville's SouthsideRiver City Science Academy teacher accused of ‘grooming’ student using messages on Canva appState approves $3 million for Northwest Jacksonville programs for small businesses, crime preventionA new housing development is coming to Jacksonville’s Northbank, but how affordable will it be?The Raines 4x400 relay team breaks a school record 👟💨Former dance company CEO still faces sexual battery charge after one count droppedHeat, water concerns grown as drought drags on in Jacksonville‘Caught by surprise’: Former JEA chair testifies as council considers expanding investigationThey're mighty, mighty, mighty and they're all about to sprout!
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