Myanmar’s military government has reduced the prison term of former leader Aung San Suu Kyi and released ex-president Win Myint under a New Year amnesty, state media confirmed on Friday.

Suu Kyi, 80, was serving a 27‑year sentence on charges ranging from corruption to election fraud, which her supporters insist were politically motivated. Her lawyer told Reuters the sentence has been cut by one‑sixth, though it remains unclear whether she will be moved to house arrest.

Win Myint, who served as president from 2018 until the 2021 coup, has been pardoned and freed under “specified conditions”. Both figures were ousted when Min Aung Hlaing seized power, plunging Myanmar into turmoil.

The amnesty, approved by Min Aung Hlaing, covers 4,335 local prisoners and 179 foreign detainees, marking the third mass release in six months. Such pardons are traditionally issued around Independence Day in January and the Myanmar New Year in April.

The move comes as Min Aung Hlaing begins his presidency following elections widely dismissed by international observers as neither free nor fair. He also commuted all death sentences to life imprisonment in one of his first major acts.

While the releases may ease international pressure, Myanmar remains deeply divided, with thousands still jailed and the country facing ongoing conflict since the 2021 coup.

-2026-04-17

179 foreign detainees is quite a few. Anyone know what nationalities they are, and what they were in jail for ?

6 minutes ago, Hervey Bay said:

179 foreign detainees is quite a few. Anyone know what nationalities they are, and what they were in jail for ?

Would think the same as in TH, drug & visa violations. Must be a drain on the budget, housing 4.5k non violent convicts. Maybe a few NGO operators & reporters that supported the govt before the coup.

How incredibly gracious of these genocidal super freak serial rapist monsters, to cut the sentence of a woman who won the election to lead the country.