19 political prisoners among 6,300 released from Myanmar jails

Yangon: Several monks and three members of pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi's political party were among the more than 6,300 prisoners released by Myanmar's junta as part of a government amnesty, a party spokesman and a rights group said on Sunday.

Among those freed from prisons around the country beginning on Saturday was Zaw Myint Maung, a lawmaker who was serving a 20-year sentence and had been in prison since 1991, National League for Democracy spokesman Nyan Win said.

Two other township committee leaders from the NLD, Pe Thein and Thet Wai, also were released.

The three were among 19 political prisoners scheduled to be released, according to Assistance Association for Political Prisoners, a Thailand-based rights group whose information has proven accurate in the past. Most of the 16 remaining prisoners were monks detained in 2003 after rejecting a donation to their monastery from former junta member Gen. Khin Nyunt.

"This is just for show," said Tate Naing, the group's secretary. "This group does not include any policy makers or other key players."

Nyan Win said he was expecting to hear Sunday about additional NLD members freed.

State radio and television announced Friday that 6,313 prisoners were released in recognition of their good conduct and so they would be able to participate in a general election planned for next year.