Myanmar’s military has freed a number of opposition figures, as well as a former UK ambassador, a Japanese filmmaker and an Australian adviser to the country’s ousted civilian leader.The military said some 6,000 pardons were to mark Myanmar National Day.
Ex-diplomat Vicky Bowman and journalist Toru Kubota were jailed earlier this year, while economist Sean Turnell was detained soon after the 2021 coup.
All three have flown out of the country after being deported.
The military has arrested more than 16,000 people since it overthrew Aung San Suu Kyi’s democratically elected government in February 2021 – sparking huge protests across the country and a widespread resistance movement.
Among those seen leaving Insein prison in Yangon were Myo Nyunt, a former spokesman for her National League for Democracy, and pro-democracy activist Mya Aye. “I will be together with the Myanmar people no matter what the situation is,” Mya Aye told crowds waiting outside the jail.
Credit: bbc.com
