Myanmar’s military regime pardons thousands of prisoners to mark Independence Day.
Most of those to be released are protesters who were imprisoned in 2021 as a result of a military coup.
The soldiers suppressed the demonstrations demanding democracy and the poor country drifted into an even greater economic crisis.
180 of those released are foreigners. The sentence of 144 life prisoners will be reduced to 15 years. Last year, almost 9,000 prisoners were released.
The streets of the capital, Naypyidaw, are lined with soldiers and police officers to maintain order. Independence Day commemorates the liberation of Myanmar from British colonial rule in 1948.
AP