Myanmar political prisoners

"The difference to the past," says economist Sean Turnell, "is that this junta does not seem to even pretend anymore that it has any sort of vision for Myanmar."

The move is part of a strategy aimed at normalizing the junta's relations with the outside world - or at least with ASEAN.

Hmue Yadanar Khet Moh Moh Tun of the Myanmar Pressphoto Agency was charged with abetting terrorism by donating money to anti-junta resistance groups.

All of those amnestied were detained under a law – Section 505(a) of the penal code – that makes it illegal to promote dissent against the military.

Sean Turnell, 58, was arrested shortly after the February 2021 coup and spent more than 600 days in prison.

The state-sanctioned killings have likely snuffed out any chance of the country's conflict being settled through peaceful negotiations.

While around 1,600 prisoners have been freed, political detainees were not among those released.

Most were arrested for incitement after taking part in protests in the weeks following last year's coup d'etat.

The revolving door of releases and convictions continues.