AYEYARWADDY DIVISION – There were more than 300 Rohingyas and only 18 political prisoners among the 500 prisoners released from Pathein Prison on August 1 (Waso Full Moon Day), according to sources close to prison authorities.
“Political prisoners imprisoned on terrorism charges were not among those released. There were only those charged under article 505 with less than six months remaining on their sentences. Many were police and army deserters and thieves. The largest number of prisoners released were the Rohingyas who are due to be released soon,” said the source.
The released political prisoners included three women and four men from Pathein Township, one woman and seven men from Kyaungkone Township and three men from Kyonpyaw Township, all imprisoned under article 505(A).
Political prisoners on terrorism charges as well as prisoners on smuggling, murder, robbery, rape and drugs charges were reportedly not among those released.
It is said that the over 300 Rohingyas released on amnesty will be handed over to the junta Ministry of Immigration and sent back to their place of origin.
One released prisoner commented, “There are still many political prisoners in the prison. The political prisoners who took part in protests had three more years added to their sentences and were all chained and crammed into one building.”
Previously on April 6, junta forces violently cracked down the prisoners in Pathein Prison who protested for prisoners rights, killing one political prisoner.
68 more political prisoners were sentenced to three more years in imprisonment and put in confinement and are subjected to torture almost every night, according to accounts by released prisoners.
There are nearly 500 political prisoners from Pathein Township in Pathein Prison, including 72 female prisoners and over 300 political prisoners sentenced at the prison court.