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"Myanmar released thousands of prisoners in Yangon on Friday after announcing a wide-ranging amnesty marking the country's traditional New Year. Footage shows residents gathering with signs as released prisoners arrive by bus. Some are later seen talking to friends and supporters at the scene. Authorities said a total of 4,335 prisoners were pardoned under the amnesty and that sentences were adjusted, with long prison terms, including life sentences, reduced to fixed terms. Among those released was documentary filmmaker Shin Daewe. "When I was first arrested, I was sentenced to life imprisonment under Section 50 (j) of the Counter-Terrorism Law. A year later, my sentence was commuted to 15 years. Today, I was released. I spent about two and a half years in prison," Daewe said. "I have a lot more friends than fans. I am happy to see my friends again. Anyway, the time we spent apart from each other was like hell, so I am happy to see them again," she added. Former detainees also described overcrowded prison conditions and large numbers of inmates still serving long sentences, including death penalties, as releases continued across facilities such as Insein Prison in Yangon and other prisons in Mandalay and Magway regions. It comes after the swearing-in of Min Aung Hlaing as President after the 2026 elections. He led a 2021 military coup and was elected president by a military-dominated parliament earlier this month."
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