New Myanmar government begins releasing political prisoners

Myanmar's government has begun releasing political prisoners under a plan announced by the country's new de facto leader, Aung San Suu Kyi.

Myanmar media reported that more than 60 students arrested a year ago during a protest over education reforms were released today by a court in the central town of Tharrawaddy.

The releases were part of a general amnesty that also covered other convicts ahead of Myanmar's traditional New Year festival, often the occasion for prisoner releases.

Rights groups estimated that 100 political detainees remained in prison when a military-backed government was succeeded by Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy party late last month.
 

About 400 others were being held pending trial, including those freed in Tharrawaddy.