BANGKOK — Myanmar military government has granted amnesty to thousands of prisoners, including political detainees and activists, state-run media reported Monday. The move coincides with Peasants’ Day, a national holiday honoring farmers, and comes just two weeks before parliament convenes for its first session in over five years following a controversial election.
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While there was no indication that former leader Aung San Suu Kyi would be released, the amnesty included several former members of her government and her National League for Democracy party. Among those freed was Myo Aung, a former mayor of the capital, Naypyitaw.
The head of Myanmar’s military government grants amnesty to more than 10,000 prisoners and reduces the sentences of others to mark a holiday, state-run media reports
🔗https://t.co/X4BEU0bmJR pic.twitter.com/eBuwTRtEdd— TRT World (@trtworld) March 2, 2026
Buses carrying released prisoners arrived at Yangon’s Insein prison, greeted by relatives who had awaited the announcement. Tinzar Aung, 30, freed from Insein, told reporters, “I am very happy. I pray that all those who are still in prison will be released.” She had been sentenced in 2022 to seven years under a counterterrorism law widely used to detain political opponents, journalists, and activists since the 2021 military takeover.
State-run MRTV reported that Senior General Min Aung Hlaing pardoned 10,162 prisoners, including 7,337 convicted under the counterterrorism law. Additionally, 12,487 individuals who were being prosecuted under the law or in hiding, as well as 10 foreigners, will have their cases closed.
Independent groups reported that the initial release included 324 political prisoners from 10 prisons, including members of university student unions in Yangon and journalist Hmu Yadanar Khet Moh Moh Tun, who had been sentenced to 13 years in 2023.
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According to the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners, over 22,800 political detainees remained incarcerated as of February 27, including Suu Kyi, who is serving a 27-year sentence in what supporters describe as politically motivated prosecutions. Mass amnesties during holidays are common in Myanmar, though the full release process may take several days.