On Thursday, November 17, Myanmar’s military regime granted amnesty to about 6,000 people, timed to coincide with the country’s National Day. Among those amnestied, the name of the former head of state and Nobel Peace Prize laureate, 77-year-old Aung San Suu Kyi, was named, Reuters reports.
Among others, Myanmar’s military authorities granted amnesty to Australian economist Sean Turnell, who was Aung San Suu Kyi’s economic policy adviser. Also amnestied were former British Ambassador Vicky Bowman, her husband, artist Htein Lin, Japanese journalist and documentary filmmaker Toru Kubota, American botanist Kyaw Htai Oo, and others.
An amnesty has also been announced for three former Myanmar government ministers.
A total of 5,774 people received amnesty. The four released foreign nationals must leave the country.
Recall that about a month ago, a Myanmar court sentenced Aung San Suu Kyi to an additional three years in prison on charges of corruption. Thus, the total term of her prison sentence at that time was 26 years. The politician and human rights activist was found guilty of accepting a $500,000 bribe. She denies these allegations, as well as others, arguing that the cases against her are politically motivated. In addition, Aung San Suu Kyi was found guilty of falsifying the results of the 2020 elections, in which the movement she led won.