Myanmar frees 4,500 prisoners, ex-president Win Myint released, Suu Kyi could be freed earlier

Myanmar’s former president Win Myint was released from prison on Friday as part of a sweeping New Year amnesty ordered by newly inaugurated President Min Aung Hlaing , state media reported. The clemency covered more than 4,500 prisoners , though it remained unclear how many political detainees jailed for opposing military rule were included.

Win Myint, a close ally of detained opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi , served as Myanmar’s president from 2018 until the military seized power in a coup on February 1, 2021 . The takeover ended the country’s brief democratic experiment and led to the detention of the civilian leadership.

Following his arrest, Win Myint was convicted on several charges and initially handed prison terms totalling 12 years , which were later reduced to eight years in 2023 . State-run MRTV said he had been held in a prison in Taungoo township in Bago region before being granted clemency. Reports said he later returned to his home in Naypyitaw after his release.

Outside Insein Prison , relatives and friends gathered from early morning as buses carrying freed inmates arrived. Among those released was filmmaker Shin Daewe , who had been serving a life sentence under a counterterrorism law imposed in January 2024.

State media reported that 4,335 prisoners were pardoned , while about 179 foreign nationals will be released and deported . Authorities also announced wider sentence reductions under the amnesty: death sentences were commuted to life imprisonment , life terms were reduced to 40 years , and prison terms below that threshold were cut by one-sixth .

Under the same measure, Suu Kyi’s 27-year prison sentence has been reduced by about four and a half years , potentially allowing her to be freed earlier than previously expected. However, the 80-year-old Nobel laureate remains in detention at an undisclosed location. A senior military officer said she could be transferred to house arrest , though officials have not publicly confirmed such a move.

Prisoner releases are common during major holidays in Myanmar , particularly during the traditional New Year festival. In his inauguration speech last week, Min Aung Hlaing said amnesties would help promote social reconciliation, justice and peace while supporting the country’s development.

Despite the latest clemency, rights groups say the broader crackdown continues. According to the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners , nearly 8,000 civilians have been killed and about 22,170 political detainees remain jailed since the military takeover in 2021.

The advocacy group Burma Campaign UK criticised the move, saying the slow and staged release of prisoners appeared aimed at gaining favourable publicity rather than signalling genuine political reform.