Myanmar Military Junta Releases Thousands of Prisoners Under Amnesty

TaiwanPlus News

Myanmar's state media reported the military government has released 5,864 prisoners, including 180 foreign nationals, under amnesty for the country's independence day.

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00:00Cheers outside a prison in Yangon, Myanmar, as the first bus of freed prisoners leaves

00:09the front gate.

00:10This is just one of hundreds across the country, releasing thousands of people under an amnesty

00:15deal from the country's military government.

00:21Some families are reunited immediately, while others search the crowds, hoping to spot their

00:26loved ones.

00:39Myanmar has been in turmoil since 2021, when the military overthrew the elected government,

00:45violently suppressed pro-democracy protests, and sparked an armed rebellion.

00:51In the years since, the UN estimates more than 5,000 civilians have been killed, over

00:56three million people displaced, and more than 27,000 people arrested.

01:02As part of Independence Day celebrations, state media has announced the release of thousands,

01:07including 180 foreign nationals.

01:23Though these large prison releases are common on holidays in Myanmar, thousands of people

01:28remain detained in the country's prisons.

01:31But friends and family members are hopeful that one of these buses will mean freedom

01:36for their loved ones.

01:37Eason Chen, Harrell Hughes, and Philip Broussard for Taiwan Plus.

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