On the first day of the Myanmar New Year, April 17, a total of 4,893 prisoners across the country were granted amnesty, leading to the release of some inmates from Sittwe Prison as well.

However, political prisoners were not among those released, and according to family members, those who were unjustly arrested and imprisoned in Sittwe Township were also not included in the amnesty.

“Those who were unjustly arrested in Sittwe were not included in the amnesty. People from Byine Phyu Village were not released either. The military only released those they wanted to,” said a woman from Byine Phyu Village in Sittwe Township, whose husband was arrested and imprisoned, speaking to Border News Agency.

The Myanmar junta has arrested and imprisoned over a hundred civilians from Byine Phyu Village in Sittwe, as well as nearly a thousand civilians across Sittwe Township, without due process, according to family members.

As part of the Myanmar New Year amnesty, the regime also released 13 foreign prisoners.

Junta authorities stated that these individuals were released to allow them to contribute to the nation-building process, but warned that if they commit any offenses again, they will have to serve the remaining terms of their previous sentences as well.

It was also announced that some remaining prisoners were granted a partial amnesty, reducing their sentences by one-sixth.

While it is still unclear how many prisoners were released from Kyaukphru Prison still under the control of the Myanmar junta sources say that those who were unjustly arrested for alleged links to the Arakan Army (AA) were not included in the amnesty.

Meanwhile, the Arakan Army (AA) has taken control of Buthidaung and Thandwe prisons during its final offensive in the region.