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Myanmar: President Pardons More Political Detainees Myanmar: Five Political Prisoners Freed After Pardon
(about 2 hours later)
President Thein Sein on Monday granted a pardon to people convicted of or charged with a variety of political offenses. It was not immediately clear how many people were covered by the pardon, which was announced on state television. It covers people convicted of or charged with unlawful association, high treason, contempt of government and violation of the peaceful assembly law. “There are about 40 remaining political prisoners and 200 activists who are facing trial under political charges, but it is difficult to guess how many will enjoy the pardon this time,” said Ye Aung, a former political prisoner and a member of the government’s committee that scrutinizes the handling of political prisoners. The pardon may not cover all those the committee lists as political detainees because some were convicted of other crimes. Since Mr. Thein Sein became president in 2011, he has freed about 1,300 political prisoners, Mr. Ye Aung said. Myanmar freed five prisoners Tuesday, and more are expected to be released next week as part of a pledge by President Thein Sein to free all political prisoners by the end of 2013. Mr. Thein Sein granted a pardon Monday to those convicted of or charged with a variety of political offenses, such as unlawful association, high treason, contempt of government and violations of the peaceful assembly law. “There are about 40 remaining political prisoners and 200 activists who are facing trial under political charges, but it is difficult to guess how many will enjoy the pardon this time,” said Ye Aung, a former political prisoner and a member of the government’s committee that scrutinizes the handling of political prisoners. The pardon may not cover all those the committee lists as political detainees because some were convicted of other crimes. Since Mr. Thein Sein became president in 2011, he has freed about 1,300 political prisoners, Mr. Ye Aung said.