Myanmar releases over 2,000 activists, journalists from prison

Myanmar released from prison more than 2,000 activists and journalists who have been protesting or reporting on the military coup that occurred in February.

Officials said the 2,300 people were taken out of Yangon’s Insein Prison on Wednesday after the country’s government arrested most of them for the protests that have erupted due to the military’s control, The Associated Press reported.

Deputy Information Minister Maj. Gen. Zaw Min Tun previously told China’s state media that “those are who took part in the protests but did not take part in the violence, who did not commit crimes and did not lead the riots” would be released, according to the AP.

There are still some people in prison in Myanmar for charges relating to the protests, but the number is unclear. Some charges relating to the protests could land a person in prison for three years.

Hundreds have died and thousands have been arrested since the coup began.

The move to release the prisoners comes almost two weeks after the United Nations General Assembly voted to condemn Myanmar’s military coup and called for an arms embargo on the country.

The United Nations said that more than 230,000 people in Myanmar have been displaced since the conflict broke out.