Today, on May 3rd, 2153 prisoners who were sentenced to 505(A) were released from various prisons, and some journalists were among those who were freed.
As of 3:40 p.m. today, close family and friends confirmed that the journalists: Ko Kyaw Zayar, a journalist from Mawkun Magazine; Ma Nyein Nyein Aye (aka) Ma Mabel, a journalist from Mizzima; Freelance Photojournalist Ko Zaw Lin Htut; Freelance Photojournalist Ko Zaw Tun; Film Director and Producer Ma Eaint; and Ma Yin Yin Thein, have been released.
A family member of Ma Nyein Nyein Aye said, “Mabel contacted us she was free. We didn’t know in advance so we didn’t have to go and pick her up. She said that she is coming back in her friend’s car. We are also waiting at home to meet her.”
According to a close family member, the MPA Journalist Ko Kaung Satt Lin who was arrested and injured when the SAC’s car crashed a strike on Pan Pin Gyi Road, Kyee Myin Daing Township, Yangon Region, was sentenced to three years in prison under Section 505(A) and is not be released today.
“Ko Kaung Satt Lin’s father told me. His son has not been released yet. From the way he spoke, it was as if he knew that Ko Kaung Satt Lin would not be released. Today, Ko Kaung Satt Lin’s mother will be buried,” a close person confirmed.
A person who was released confirmed that among those who were freed from being sentenced by 505-A today, only those who had less than one year left were released.
When contacting a person who was released from Tharayawaddy Prison today, she said, “among those who were released from Thayarwaddy Prison today, only those who have been released for less than a year. The rest who left one year and a day were not released. Also, we found that there were not 505(A) prisoners from the Marshal Law area.”
On May 3, the SAC announced that 2,153 prisoners who are serving sentences under Section 505-A of the Penal Code will be released after signing a pledge under Section 401 of the Code of Conduct to mark the full moon day of Kasong (Buddha Day).