Myanmar pardons top political prisoners

Myanmar: Myanmar pardoned a number of prominent dissidents, journalists and a former premier Friday under a major prisoner amnesty, intensifying a surprising series of reforms by the army-backed regime.

The release included members of the "88 Generation Students" group, which is synonymous with the democratic struggle in the country formerly known as Burma and was at the forefront of a failed 1988 uprising in which thousands died.

The amnesty, which looked set to be the most significant yet under the nominally civilian government which took office last year, was hailed by democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi's opposition party as a "positive sign".

Former student activist Min Ko Naing, who has spent most of the years since the 1988 protests in prison, was among those pardoned, his family said.

Fellow activist Htay Kywe was also believed to be included, along with leading Shan ethnic minority leader Khun Htun Oo, who was jailed for 93 years.

President Thein Sein's latest amnesty, which includes about 650 inmates, "aimed for national reconciliation and inclusiveness in the political process", a government official told AFP. AFP