Poe War, Narinjara News, April 17, 2025 

Today, April 17, marking the 1st day of the New Year in the Myanmar calendar 1387, the Military Council declared that 4,893 inmates have received pardons on parole. 

The Military Council stated that the pardoned prisoners were freed to help build the nation, but should they commit another offense, they will have to complete the rest of their sentence. 

The Military Council stated in a release that out of the 4,893 inmates granted clemency, 13 were foreign nationals who received pardons and were subsequently deported. 

Wai Hin Aung, a past political detainee from Rakhine and author, stated, “Under the present regime, there is no chance of political prisoners being freed. Besides the Unlawful Association Act and the Terrorism Act, it is improbable that most political prisoners will be freed.” 

The Humanitarian and Development Cooperation Office (HDCO) reported that from November 13, 2023, when the conflict in Rakhine started, until November 13, 2024, 703 civilians, comprising 24 children under 18, were detained by the military council, with 505 currently in custody. 

It is reported that there are approximately 600 Rakhine political detainees incarcerated in facilities located in Sittwe, Kyaukpyu, Insein (Yangon), Pyay, and Pathein. 

Narinjara News is continuing to look into whether any of them have been freed. (Photo by Myanmar Now)