The prisoners are to be released the most important Buddhist holy day of the year. However, deposed leader Aung San Suu Kyi remains in jail

Myanmar ’s ruling military council has said it is releasing more than 2,100 political prisoners as a humanitarian gesture. Thousands more remain imprisoned on charges generally involving nonviolent protests or criticism of military rule, which began when the army seized power from the elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi in February 2021.

State-run MRTV television reported on Wednesday that the head of Myanmar’s military council, Senior Gen Min Aung Hlaing, had pardoned 2,153 prisoners on the most important Buddhist holy day of the year, marking the birth, enlightenment and death of Buddha.

Killing in Yangon of Sai Kyaw Thu, a former lieutenant colonel, is confirmed by guerrilla group

A top election official in Myanmar has been fatally shot in his car in Yangon, in the latest attack attributed to militants opposed to military rule.

Sai Kyaw Thu, the deputy director general of the military-appointed Union Election Commission, was shot multiple times on Saturday, according to the military’s information office, media reports and a statement of responsibility from an urban guerrilla group.

Economist from Macquarie University tells Reuters news agency ‘I am fine and strong and not guilty of anything’

Sean Turnell, an Australian economic adviser to Myanmar’s Aung San Suu Kyi, has told the news agency Reuters that he is being detained, days after the Burmese leader was arrested in a military coup .

“I guess you will soon hear of it, but I am being detained,” he said. “Being charged with something, but not sure what. I am fine and strong, and not guilty of anything,” he said in a message, with a smile emoji. It was not subsequently possible to contact him.

Party stalwart Win Htein detained at daughter’s house in Yangon as students protest against coup

A key aide of Myanmar’s ousted leader, Aung San Suu Kyi, has been arrested as the military seeks to quell unrest, days after seizing power in a coup.

Win Htein, who was considered Aung San Suu Kyi’s right-hand man, was reportedly detained at midnight at his daughter’s house in Yangon. Over recent days he had criticised the coup, saying its leaders had “taken [the country] in the wrong direction”.