Myanmar announces amnesty for thousands of prisoners ahead of controversial elections.

Arab Sea Newspaper - Follow-ups:

The ruling military council in Myanmar announced today, Thursday, a pardon or dismissal of charges against 8,665 people, in a move it said aims to enable them to vote in the upcoming elections, which are drawing widespread criticism from the West and human rights organizations, and are considered a sham and unfair. According to official media, the amnesty includes reducing the sentences of 3,085 people convicted under a law criminalizing the spread of "fear or false news," in addition to dropping charges against another 5,580 who are still at large. It is not yet clear how many political prisoners are included in this decision, or when they will be released. Military government spokesman Zaw Min Tun said the move comes to ensure that "all eligible voters can vote freely and fairly." Myanmar has been in turmoil since the military coup in 2021 that ousted the elected civilian government led by Aung San Suu Kyi, who remains detained to this day. Widespread protests against the coup have turned into an armed rebellion led by civilian resistance groups and ethnic militias. According to the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners, more than 30,000 people have been arrested on political charges since the coup. The announced elections are expected to be held in stages during December and January, amid a boycott by opposition forces and the banning of many parties, prompting Western countries to question the legitimacy of the vote and consider it a means of consolidating military rule.