Myanmar freed 6,100 prisoners, including 52 foreigners, on independence day amid a disputed election and ongoing political detentions.

Myanmar’s military government released over 6,100 prisoners, including 52 foreigners, on January 4, 2026, to mark the 78th anniversary of independence. The amnesty, described as a humanitarian gesture, excluded those convicted of serious crimes like murder, rape, or terrorism. The move coincided with a contested, month-long election process criticized as illegitimate by international observers, with the pro-military party leading in early results. Former leader Aung San Suu Kyi remains imprisoned, and thousands of political detainees are still held, with no indication she was among those freed.