The Burmese Military Council Pardons 6,000 Prisoners

According to a statement from the council, over 5,800 detainees, including around 180 foreigners, will receive a pardon in celebration of Burma’s independence from Britain on January 4, 1948.

Among those pardoned, 600 were convicted under Article 505 of the Penal Code, as stated by council spokesperson Zaw Min Tun in a statement sent to the media.

This article stipulates a maximum prison sentence of three years for actions that could harm the army’s reputation.

The spokesperson noted that the majority of the pardoned foreigners are Thai nationals who were arrested in casinos near the border between the two countries.

The military said the decision was made “for humanitarian reasons and out of compassion.”

Additionally, the sentences of 144 individuals sentenced to life imprisonment were reduced to 15 years in prison.

Since the military coup in February 2021, which ended a brief democratic experiment in Burma, the army has detained thousands of people.

The government regularly grants pardons to thousands of prisoners during national celebrations or Buddhist holidays. In 2024, the military council released over 9,000 prisoners on Independence Day.

On Saturday morning, the annual ceremony was held in the capital, Naypyidaw, under tight security, with an audience of about 500 government and military officials.

Deputy Commander-in-Chief Soe Win delivered a speech on behalf of the military council leader Min Aung Hlaing, who was absent.

Soe Win renewed the council’s call for dozens of opposing ethnic groups to lay down arms and “resolve the political situation through peaceful means.” He also reiterated the military’s commitment to holding democratic elections and called for national unity.