"Myanmar’s military rulers on Monday released several prominent figures from the elected National League for Democracy (NLD) government they overthrew in 2021, as part of an amnesty for more than 9,000 prisoners. However, democracy icon Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, President U Win Myint and other NLD leaders remained behind bars as the regime prepares to rebrand in civilian clothing following a widely rejected election. Monday’s amnesty covered 7,337 political prisoners jailed under the Counter-Terrorism Law, used by the regime to criminalize opposition to its takeover. However, only around 4,000 had been released as of Wednesday evening, according to the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (AAPP), which cited tallies from 23 prisons. The junta said it had also dropped cases against 12,487 individuals charged under the same law. The amnesty for political prisoners came just two weeks before the new military-dominated parliament is due to convene on March 16. Elected NLD lawmaker U Bo Bo Oo said those freed Monday included senior NLD figures U Min Thu, a former Union Minister, and Dr. Myo Aung, the former Naypyitaw Mayor and an NLD Central Committee member. The regime had sentenced Dr. Myo Aung to 22 years in prison on multiple charges, including inciting offenses against the state or “public tranquility” and corruption. U Min Thu was also charged under the anti-corruption law. Two former NLD Yangon Region Ministers also walked free on Monday. Daw Moe Moe Su Kyi and U Han Tun—Yangon’s former ministers for Immigration and Human Resources and for Agriculture, respectively—were released from Yangon’s Insein Prison, according to local news outlets. Former Magwe parliament speaker U Tar was also set free, U Bo Bo Oo said. However, the mass amnesty was no act of goodwill, said Ko Thaik Tun Oo of the Political Prisoners Network Myanmar (PPNM). “It’s a move by the regime to win acceptance from ASEAN and the wider international community and secure recognition as a legitimate government ahead of the upcoming military-led parliament and administration,” Ko Thaik Tun Oo said. Several prominent student activists were also released Monday. They included Ma Su Yee Lin, ex-president of the East Yangon University Students’ Union, who was sentenced to 15 years under the Counter-Terrorism Law. She was freed along with her sister, Ma Su Myat Htet, and their aunt, Daw Ni Moe Hlaing, both jailed under the same law. Among other student leaders released were Ko Htet Paing Soe, Vice President of the Yangon Economic University Students’ Union, and Ma Nway Yati Soe. Journalists granted amnesty included Ma Hmu Yadanar Khet Moh Moh Tun, a Myanmar Pressphoto Agency (MPA) videographer who was injured and arrested after a military vehicle rammed an anti-coup rally she was covering in Yangon’s Kyimyintai Township in 2021. However, the junta attached parole conditions to the mass release, warning that anyone who reoffends will have to serve out their original sentence on top of any new penalties. It also announced the release and deportation of 10 foreigners on Monday. Of the 30,538 people arrested by the military regime, 22,818 remain in jail, according to the AAPP. They include the 80-year-old Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, who was sentenced to 27 years in prison..."