Myanmar junta frees Australian economist, former UK envoy in mass amnesty

Mya Aye, a prominent political activist who was imprisoned following the military coup on February 01, 2021, is greeted as he walks free after his release from Insein prison, in Yangon, Myanmar November 17, 2022. Assistance Association for Myanmar Based Independent Journalists/via REUTERS.

(Reuters) -Myanmar's ruling military on Thursday freed a former British ambassador, a Japanese filmmaker and an Australian economic adviser to deposed leader Aung San Suu Kyi, officials said, among nearly 6,000 prisoners included in a mass amnesty.

Australia said economist Sean Turnell left Myanmar on Thursday and had arrived in neighbouring Thailand, while a diplomatic source confirmed former British envoy Vicky Bowman had also left the country.