Myanmar frees 452 prisoners including foreigners before Obama’s visit

Published on Thursday, 15 November 2012 11:02

Myanmar government has granted an amnesty for 452 prisoners, including 10 foreigners, the state-run newspapers reported today.

The move was just days before President Barack Obama is scheduled to visit Myanmar as the first US head of state. However, political prisoners are not included in those released, according to the sources.

The 10 released foreigners are those mostly living in Myanmar, said an official from the Correctional Department (Nay Pyi Taw). But he declined to answer what nationalities they are.

Myanmar still has around 230 political prisoners, Toe Kyi, a member of the ex-Political Prisoners Group said this morning.

He said: “Currently, we don’t know whether political prisoners are included in the latest releases.”           

Insein Prison in Yangon alone has released 36 prisoners today.

Myanmar usually grants amnesties on its significant days and occasions or before foreign visits of state leaders.

President Thein Sein is soon scheduled to attend the Asean Summit in Phenom Penh, Cambodia.

President Obama will visit Myanmar on November 19. He is due to meet President Thein Sein and Aung San Suu Kyi, leader of opposition National League for Democracy, separately in Yangon.