Mizzima
According to the family members of political prisoners gathered outside the prison, Dr. Hla Myat Thway, the Minister of Social Affairs for the Ayeyarwady Region Government, who had been incarcerated in Pathein Prison, has been set free. Her release coincided with the country’s 76th Independence Day on 4 January.
“Inmates approaching their release dates and those with prison terms of less than a year were granted freedom, including Dr. Hla Myat Thway. She appears to be in good health, albeit noticeably thinner,” said a political activist from the group waiting outside the prison.
On 1 February, 2021, Dr. Hla Myat Thway was apprehended by the Military Council, alongside the Speaker of Parliament, Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Chief Minister, and five Ministers of Ayeyarwady region.
Following a trial held in the Special Court within Pathein Prison, Dr. Hla Myat Thway received a two-year prison sentence under Section 505 (b) of the Penal Code.
Despite being under house arrest in government housing in Ayeyarwady Region from 1 February, 2021, she was subsequently moved to Pathein Prison on 30 December, 2022.
Subsequently, the Speaker of Parliament, Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Prime Minister, and five Ministers of Ayeyarwaddy region were released separately in 2022.
On 1 February, 2021, Dr. Hla Myat Thway issued a letter bearing her signature, declaring: “Every officer and civil servant from relevant departmental organizations and subordinate office departments under the Ayeyarwady Region Government should observe off-days until the formation of the new government by the representatives who won the election in 2020.”
Consequently, she faced prosecution by the military regime, leading to her transfer to Pathein Prison.
On 30 January, 2023, Dr. Hla Myat Thway received a two-year prison sentence under Section 505 (b) from the Pathein Prison Court.
Currently, an unspecified number of political prisoners, including Dr. Hla Myat Thway, have been granted their freedom, although the precise count remains unknown.
In acknowledgment of the 76th Independence Day, numerous prisoners serving sentences in various prisons nationwide received clemency. The Military Council officially announced that a total of 9,652 prisoners were granted pardons.
Also, the reports indicate that in Mon State, out of over 600 prisoners released from different prisons, only 26 were identified as political prisoners.
In observance of the 76th Independence Day on 4 January, the Military Council granted amnesty to 10 male political prisoners and nine female political prisoners from Kyaikmaraw Central Prison in Mon State. Additionally, seven political prisoners from Zaymathwe Prison in Thaton Township, Mon State, were among those released.
