There is speculation that the prompt sentencing of celebrities, activists and members of student unions – including actors and actresses - may lead to the granting of amnesty.
Tun Kyi, a member of the Leading Committee for Former Political Prisoners, told Mizzima that the amnesty would be due to growing international pressure on the junta.
Famous movie actors and singers such as Lu Min, Pyay Ti Oo, Indra Kyaw Zin, Ye’ Taik, Saw Pho Khwar, Paing Takhon, and PoPo, social media influencer Win Min Than, student leaders such as Min Thwe Thit, Wai Yan Phyo Moe, Aung Phyo Kyaw and Salween Blood Media Editor-in-Chief, Daw Mya Wun Yan were also sentenced recently.
There are more than 50 well known people from all walks of life in carcerated, according to a BBC report.
The Myanmar Military Council’s international standing has dropped significantly and thus they may be prepared to grant amnesty to show goodwill on the international stage, Tun Kyi said.
"All those arrested during the Spring Revolution, whether they are actors or not, are political prisoners. Military councils usually give amnesty on Independence Day, Union Day and other big days according to my experience. I am guessing that the military council issued the orders before that date,” he added.
In addition, the recent sentencing of some political prisoners by the prison courts is significant, and amnesty could be possible, Khin Maung Myint, a legal adviser, said.
He said he had heard from prison sources that amnesty would be granted on January 4.
"We are hearing the same thing in the prison court. On the next Independence Day, the amnesty will be granted. In the past, they did two things. One is for prosecutors to settle the case by dropping the case. For prisoners, it is a way to reduce their sentences under Criminal Procedure Code 401 (1). In recent years, instead of using the drop-out method, the amnesty has been given only after the trial is over. Significantly, the final verdict pushed by these days may be expected for amnesty. When almost all courts are
pushing for final verdict cases, are they doing more to then provide amnesty?” he added.
