In Mon State, there are 187 prisoners who have been released with amnesty and among them 37 persons are political prisoners, those are sentenced under Section 505 (a) by the military junta, State Administrative Council (SAC).
The SAC released thousands of prisoners with its Order No. 70/2022, based on Amnesty Act No. 401, Sub-section with a commemoration of National Day, when the Burmese students are opposing the British education system in the past over 100 years again. Totally over 5000 prisoners were released nationwide on November 17 in the afternoon.
Among the 187 inmates who were released, there are 42 inmates and 23 inmates who are being punished for normal crimes from Kyaikmayaw Central Prison, and 24 male inmates and 13 female inmates who are being sentenced under Section 505 (a) for the political activities after the 2021 coup, according to a person close to Mawlamyine Prison authorities.
In addition, 39 male prisoners and 46 female prisoners who were serving sentences for ordinary crimes in Mawlamyine Prison were released. People who are opposing against the military council said that they have no faith in the military council's amnesty.
“For those who got away with the 505 (a), I'm really happy. But I can't thank you for the release. No need to be thankful. They release it, but they can arrest them whenever they like. They were released, but the safety is zero" said a 26-year-old woman who is currently involving in the anti-coup movement.
Those who were released on amnesty act had to sign that they will never commit crimes or anti- SAC again in the future. They had to promise that if they commit the crime again, they will continue to face the remaining imprisonment as well as other punishments.
SAC released 5774 prisoners as a commemoration of 102 nd Burma’s National Day.