The annual amnesty coincides with Myanmar celebrating 78 years of independence from British colonial rule and comes just a week after the start of an election that has been criticized as rigged.
Hundreds of prisoners were able to leave a prison in the former capital Rangoon (Yangon) on Sunday. Many relatives waited outside the prison in the hope that their loved ones would be released.
Among the prisoners released was Ye Htut, who served as information minister and spokesman for President Thein Sein under the former junta. He had served two years of a 10-year prison sentence for sedition, among other charges.
The Myanmar junta has repeatedly granted amnesty to thousands of prisoners in connection with holidays.
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