A car carries the prisoners who were granted amnesty from Orebo Prison in Mandalay

MYANMAR: PRESIDENT GRANTS GENERAL AMNESTY FOR 8541 PRISONERS

April 18, 2018:

President Win Myint granted a general amnesty for 8541 prisoners including 36 prisoners of conscience and 51 foreign ones to mark Myanmar New Year day which falls on April 17.
A total of 8490 prisoners were released on the presidential amnesty according to the notification No 17/2018 with the purpose of enabling the people to feel peace of mind and giving special attention to humanitarianism.
The president released 51 foreign prisoners granting a general amnesty according to the notification No 18/2018 with the intention of marking Myanmar New Year day, paying special attention to foreign relations and respecting humanitarianism. The foreign prisoners were deported back to their native countries they had come from.
Among the prisoners released on the presidential amnesty were 27 elderly persons of 80 years old and above, 25 elderly persons of 75 to 80 years old, 14 persons of ill health, 44 foreigners, 1462 persons of narcotic drug section 15, 3220 persons of narcotic drug section 16 (C), 1680 persons of narcotic drug section 15/16 (C), 141 persons of police disciplinary punishment, 36 prisoners of conscience, a female local prisoner and 2 Vietnamese prisoners, cited the writing from the Facebook of  Zaw Htay, Director General of the State Counsellor Office.
A total of 58 prisoners were released from Thayawady Prison, northern part of Bago Region. Three prisoners of conscience including Ye Baw Than Gyoung, who got four death sentences and life sentence, were also released. Three prisoners of conscience are Ye Baw Than Gyoung, Major Win Naing Kyaw and Kyaw Hlaing.
“I can’t believe that I am released. It is too early to say comments as I don’t know how I stand,” Ye Baw Than Gyoung said.
Ye Baw Than Gyoung is the person who got four death sentences and life sentence. Major Win Naing Kyaw is the person who got a death sentence and jail term for 28 years.
A total of 64 prisoners from Dawei Prison, Taninthayi Region were released on the presidential amnesty. There were 58 male prisoners and 6 female prisoners.
“Dawei Prison released a total of 64 prisoners as they were granted an amnesty. Before releasing the prisoners, the departmental officials gave advice to them. K 1000 was provided to each prisoner. I was not authorized to say which prisoner got what punishment,” said the responsible person of Dawei Prison.
Pakokku Prison released a total of 22 prisoners as they were granted an amnesty. Similarly, Meiktila Prison released 64 prisoners, Myitkyina Prison, 470 prisoners, Paungte Prison, 15 prisoners, Monywa Prison, 41 prisoners, Pathein Prison, 47 prisoners, Katha Prison, 107 prisoners, Hpa-an Prison, 156 prisoners, Thayet Prison, 44 prisoners, Lashio Prison, 162 prisoners, Orebo Prison, 460 prisoners, Sittwe Prison, 87 prisoners, Myeik Prison, 293 prisoners, Hinthada Prison, 23 prisoners, and Buthidaung Prison, 58 prisoners including 23 Bangladeshis.