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Myanmar’s military government pardons 10,000 prisoners before parliament opens
More than 7,300 prisoners convicted under counterterrorism laws were pardoned as nearly 12,500 related cases were dropped to mark Peasants' Day, the military government said.
- On 02/03/2026, Myanmar's military junta granted amnesty releasing more than 7,300 prisoners convicted of financing or sheltering a 'terrorist group', ordered by junta chief Min Aung Hlaing.
- To mark a public holiday, the junta said the releases were for "the peace of mind of the general public" and humanitarian grounds; analysts say pardons aim to soften its image after elections concluded in January.
- Nearly 12,500 pending 'terrorism' cases will be dropped, a separate statement said, while Monday's notices also announced releases of more than 2,800 other prisoners and 10 jailed foreign nationals.
- Thousands of dissenting civilians have been jailed since the 2021 coup, and critics say the amnesty looks like a publicity exercise with Aung San Suu Kyi still detained.
- A new parliament is due to sit in two weeks with a president election in early April, while it remains unclear which groups the freed prisoners faced under terrorism laws carrying life or death sentences.
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Myanmar's military government pardons thousands of prisoners ahead of parliament convening
The head of Myanmar’s military government has granted amnesty to thousands of prisoners, mostly political detainees, and activists being prosecuted or in hiding. State media reported the amnesty started Monday though the releases may take a few days to complete.…
Since the military coup of February 2021, thousands of dissidents have been imprisoned by the army, thus closing a democratic parenthesis lasting about ten years.
·Paris, France
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Total News Sources59
Leaning Left15Leaning Right10Center12Last UpdatedBias Distribution41% Left
Bias Distribution
- 41% of the sources lean Left
41% Left
L 41%
C 32%
R 27%
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