Four men serving prison sentences for being involved with the banned Arakan Army (AA) were released from Sittwe Prison on 17 April under the presidential amnesty.
The released men, who were arrested in April 2015 and only recently sentenced, were named as: Ko San Maung Tha, U Tin Shwe and U San Aye Maung from Kyauk Taw Township and U Shwe Lone alias U Shwe Sein Won from Min Bya Township.
Ko San Maung Tha said: "I come from Link Zin Village in Kyauk Taw Township. I am not associated with the Arakan Army. I was accused of attending one of the outfit's [Arakan Army] meetings and was put under pressure to confess that I am a member of the Arakan Army."
The other three men also claimed to have no affiliation with the Arakan Army.
Altogether 83 prisoners were released as part of the recent presidential amnesty declared by the new NLD president Htin Kyaw. The amnesty is considered to be an important step for national reconciliation and the ongoing peace process in Burma.
Edited in English by Mark Inkey for BNI
