“But I am so sad for those prisoners who (are) still inside.”

Win Myint became president last month, after his predecessor, Htin Kyaw, stepped down because of illness. The amnesty, announced on Tuesday, coincided with Myanmar’s traditional New Year. It was granted to 8,490 Myanmar citizens and 51 foreigners. A statement from presidential spokesman Zaw Thay said those released included the aged, those in ill health, and drug offenders. None was individually named. A spokesman said the amnesty includes 51 foreigners as well as 36 people listed as political prisoners by the Thailand-based watchdog group Assistance Association for Political Prisoners. The amnesty appeared to cover only prisoners who had already been convicted of crimes, so it was unlikely that two Reuters reporters, Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo, currently facing trial for possessing secret official documents, would be freed.
8,500 prisoners are granted amnesty in Myanmar by President Win Myint.