Myanmar dictatorship frees 6,000 prisoners under amnesty law

The Myanmar regime released some 6,000 prisoners on Wednesday night after passing an amnesty law, according to local media.

Among those contemplated are at least four foreigners. Australian economist Sean Turnell, former UK ambassador Vicky Bowman and Japanese documentary filmmaker Toru Kubota have already been released.

Turnell was an adviser to former civilian leader Aung San Suu Kyi and had been jailed since last year. He was accused of violating the State Secrecy Act, which provides for a maximum sentence of 14 years. Bowman, who served as a diplomat from 2002 to 2006, was arrested in August for allegedly failing to declare that she lived at a different address than the one on her alien registration certificate. Kubota was sentenced to ten years in prison for inciting dissent against the military and violating the country’s telecommunications laws. The three plead not guilty.

Myanmar suffered a coup d’état last year that put an end to the democratic transition in the country that began ten years ago. In power, the military junta has repressed and arrested opponents.

The coup was carried out after the military alleged fraud in the election results — although independent observers found no wrongdoing. They took power hours before the legislature was sworn in, through the overthrow and arrest of Suu Kyi, President Win Myint and several other leaders.