Myanmar’s military-led government has granted amnesty to thousands of prisoners and reduced sentences for several high-profile detainees, in one of President Min Aung Hlaing’s first major moves since assuming office earlier this month. The decision, announced by state television MRTV, covers 4,335 prisoners and includes reductions in various categories of sentences.

The order also commutes all death sentences to life imprisonment, while life terms have been reduced to 40 years. Additionally, remaining sentences for other prisoners have been cut by one-sixth. Authorities confirmed that 179 foreign nationals are among those set to be released and subsequently deported.

Former president Win Myint, who has been detained since the February 2021 military takeover, was granted a pardon under specified conditions, according to an official statement. The presidency said his remaining sentences were reduced, although details of his release arrangements were not immediately disclosed.

According to Reuters, the sentence of detained former leader Aung San Suu Kyi  currently serving a 27-year term has also been reduced by one-sixth. However, it remains unclear whether the 80-year-old Nobel Peace Prize laureate will be allowed to serve the remainder of her sentence under house arrest, a measure previously imposed following the coup.

The amnesty comes at a time when Myanmar traditionally issues pardons around national occasions, including Independence Day in January and the country’s New Year in April. Analysts say the move may be aimed at easing domestic pressure and improving the military government’s international standing, though uncertainty remains over whether political detainees will benefit substantially from the reductions.

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