To mark the Diamond Jubilee Independence Day on January 4th, the Military Council granted amnesty and released more than 300 prisoners held in prisons in Rakhine state, but not a single political prisoner in this region was included.

The Junta granted amnesty to more than 7000 prisoners nationwide. The prison terms of former Rakhine state chief minister U Nyi Pu, and former municipal affairs minister U Min Aung had their sentence cut by one-sixth.

“ This reduction applies only to the prison terms imposed under Section 505. It is not related to the other charges.It was reduced by one-sixth of the punishment,”  explained a source close to their families.

Former chief minister U Nyi Pu had been sentenced to 5 years under Article 130(A) for voter fraud, and 9 years under Section 55 of the Anti-Corruption Law with a 2-year jail term with hard labor under Section 505 (B) of the Penal Code - a total of 13 years in prison.

Former municipal affairs minister U Min Aung had been sentenced to 7 years under Section 55 of the Anti-Corruption Law and 2 years under Section 505 (B) of the Penal Code - a total of 9-year imprisonment.

Ma Kyi Kyi Oo, her eldest daughter told Narinjara that although the prison term was slightly reduced, the authorities did not allow U Nyi Pu’s need for surgery on her left eye.

“We heard that my father’s prison term has been reduced a bit, but it’s not very significant. We want to treat my father’s poor vision due to cataracts. We heard that the prison doctor often gives him eyedrops. But it would be better for him, if he is allowed to undergo surgery. We have been asking for permission for this matter for a long time. So far nothing has happened”, she said.

The former chief minister of Rakhine state U Nyi Pu and former cabinet ministers U Kyaw Aye Thein, U Kyaw Lwin, U Aung Kyaw Zan and U Min Aung are being held in Sittwe prison. The Military Council did not allow them to meet family members.