The chairman of the Former Political Prisoners Federation (FPPF), Nyo Tun, has said that while the committee to scrutinize the remaining political prisoners continues to compile its recommendations, jailed former members of Myanmar’s Military Intelligence Services (MIS) will not be included on any list for release.

“From my personal point of view, these former MIS officers were imprisoned on grounds of political grudges and allegiances,” he said. “However, the government is not going to release them.”

Union Minister Soe Thane is the chairman of the ‘Scrutinizing Committee’ formed by President Thein Sein last February. He confirmed that former MI officers will not be considered political prisoners under the current conditions.

No details are available as to who or how many MI officers were imprisoned during various purges within the military hierarchy. The highest profile character was Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt, the former prime minister, who was arrested and jailed in late 2004, although he was released in 2012.