Burma releases more prisoners

Published on 18/09/2012 00:00

BUrMA is releasing 514 prisoners under its latest amnesty, including political detainees and some foreigners.

The information ministry did not name the prisoners, so it was unclear how many political detainees were among them, although almost 50 were identified by fellow activists who had been in touch with them.

Many political prisoners are in remote areas where communications are difficult, so the extent of the release may not be known for several days. Prominent activist and former detainee Ko Ko Gyi said he expected about 100 political prisoners to be covered by the amnesty.