Myanmar grants amnesty to over 4,900 prisoners on New Year's Day

A released prisoner (centre) being welcomed by family members outside the main gate of Insein prison as the head of Myanmar’s military government granted amnesty to thousands of prisoners to mark the country's traditional New Year on April 17, 2025, in Yangon. - AP

YANGON: Myanmar's State Administration Council pardoned over 4,900 prisoners in an amnesty on Thursday (April 17), the first day of the New Year on the Myanmar calendar.

The council granted amnesty to 4,893 prisoners and 13 foreign prisoners on New Year's Day. The council stated that if any of the pardoned individuals re-offend, they will be required to serve both the new sentence and the remainder of their previous sentence.

It was to mark the South-East Asian country's traditional New Year with peace in mind and on humanitarian grounds, as well as in view of relations between the respective countries and Myanmar, the council said. - Xinhua