More than 860 prisoners from Mon State prisons were pardoned in a third round of the presidential pardons on Tuesday.
According to the Mon State Prison Department, a total of 862 prisoners were granted amnesty. They are among the 6,520 pardoned prisoners across the country. The pardon included two Reuters journalists Ko Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo, as well as members of ethnic armed organizations (EAOs) and civilians accused of having close contact with the EAOs.
“Over 860 prisoners will be released in Mon State. We are still processing their release. The pardon comes out with the list of the prisoner names, and it’s the decision from the government [in Nay Pyi Taw] on who and what types of crimes will be freed. Most pardoned prisoners from Mawlamyine are from the prisons of YinNyein, and InnPyaung,” said the Head of Mon State Prison Department (State level) U Linn Bo Naung in an interview with MNA on Tuesday.
During the Thingyan/water festival, over 925 prisoners were pardoned in Mon State, a majority having been convicted of drug violations.
Tuesday’s amnesty included 298 prisoners from Mawlamyine Prison, 11 prisoners from Thaton Prison, 75 prisoners from Mupalin [male] Prison and 50 prisoners from Mupalin (female) prison.
According to the statement of the President Office on Tuesday [May 7], a total of 6,520 prisoners from different prisons and jails across the country will be released and pardoned from the crime act according to article 401(1).
From April 18 to this latest pardon (May 7), over 23,000 prisoners have been granted amnesty across the country by the pardon of the President U Win Myint.
