Myanmar to free over 5000 prisoners

Myanmar authorities say it will release over 5,000 prisoners who were jailed for protesting against February coup.

Thousands of people were detained during bloody demonstrations after military leaders seized power.

Myanmar’s leader Gen Min Aung Hlaing said the 5,636 prisoners would be freed for humanitarian reasons.

It comes days after the general was excluded from an annual summit of regional leaders, who said the military had not done enough to end the turmoil.

The association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) agreed to invite a non-political representative from Myanmar instead of Gen Min Aung Hlaing.

At least, 1,178 people were killed and 7,355 arrested, charged or sentenced during a crackdown on dissent that followed Aung Sun Suu Kyi being ousted from power.