The Former Political Prisoners Group in Yangon has told Mizzima that since Friday morning it has been receiving telephone calls to confirm that a number of political prisoners have been released from jails around Myanmar.
“Ko Aye Min Naing, Ma San San Maw, Ko Zaw Lwin, Ko Kyaw Zin Oo and Ko Htet Ko Lwin from Thayarwaddy Prison have been released, but we still cannot confirm a full list of names,” said Ko Tun Kyi from the Former Political Prisoners Group, a support network based in Yangon which helps political activists upon their release from jail.
He said that his group believed 20 political detainees had been released on Friday, but was still trying to confirm names and numbers.
“I have been told that, so far, five activists from Thayarwaddy Prison, seven from Insein Prison, one from Mandalay Prison, two from Taung Ngu Prison, one from Taunggyi Prison, one from Lashio Prison, and one from Pathein Prison—a total of 18—have been released,” he said.
Ko Tun Kyi told Mizzima that although he welcomed the release of political prisoners on Friday, it was important to remember that nearly 200 political activists remain behind bars in Myanmar.
