Myanmar reportedly to free many political prisoners

YANGON?? Many political prisoners, including former student activists who were prominent in a pro-democracy uprising in 1988, will be freed in an amnesty expected to cover 651 detainees on Friday, family members and prison officials said.

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An official from Taunggyi Prison in Shan State said two prominent dissidents, Ko Jimmy and Ko Zaw Thet Htwe, would be released.

"We are going to take them to the bus terminal later this morning," the official said.

Phyo Min Thein, brother-in-law of Htay Kywe, one of the leaders of an activist group known as the "88 Generation Students Group", said: "I've got confirmation that Ko Htay Kywe and almost all members of the 88 Group and other prominent figures like Shin Gambira and U Khun Tun Oo will be released today."

Another prison official also said dissident Buddhist monk Shin Gambira would be freed.

Copyright 2012 Thomson Reuters. Click for restrictions.

Source: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/45980392/ns/world_news-asia_pacific/

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