Joy and sorrow as Myanmar junta frees political prisoners detained in anti-coup protests

The first of more than 5,600 political prisoners detained by the ruling military junta during Myanmar’s anti-coup protests were released late on October 18, 2021. The move came after the junta’s top military official, Min Aung Hlaing, was snubbed by the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean). The rejection was reportedly over a lack of progress on a so-called five-point consensus agreed in April to resolve Myanmar's political crisis. Since seizing power in a coup on February 1, the junta has mounted a bloody crackdown on protesters that has left over 1,000 dead and sent more than 7,300 to prison.