A total of 23  political prisoners were released from Kalay Prison in Sagaing Region on Myanmar New Year, according to a family member of one of the detainees.

In addition, 33 prisoners were reportedly released from Mawlaikkalay Prison, including 21 men and two women who were political prisoners, on 17 April, Myanmar New Year’s Day.

A relative of a political prisoner told Mizzima outside the prison, “I can’t really say this is an amnesty. Only those who were close to completing their sentences were released. People came from far away with great hope, expecting that their relatives would be released. I don’t know how to comfort them.”

Sources said most of those released had only a few months left to serve in prison.

Junta chief Min Aung Hlaing had earlier stated in his New Year speech that pardons would be granted, which led to large crowds gathering outside the prison with higher expectations than in previous amnesties.

The quasi-civilian military regime announced that, on the occasion of the New Year, it had commuted the sentences of 4,335 prisoners and granted them amnesty, claiming the move was intended to bring peace of mind to the public and allow the prisoners to contribute to nation-building with a sense of humanity.

However, the release order reportedly included a condition stating that if any of the released prisoners commit another offense, they will have to serve both their remaining original sentence and any new sentence.

Families of political prisoners say that around 300 political detainees remain in Kalay Prison and are urging authorities to release them as soon as possible.

Among those granted amnesty are President Win Myint and documentary filmmaker Shin Daewe.

Separately, reports citing lawyers of State Counselor Aung San Suu Kyi say her 27-year sentence has been reduced by one-sixth, amid unconfirmed claims that she may be moved to house arrest.