Myanmar pardons China loggers among nearly 7000 prisoners

The amnesties, which the information ministry says the president issued “on humanitarian grounds”, come ahead of general elections in November.

It was not immediately clear if any political prisoners were among those to be freed in the latest amnesty.

The Chinese loggers were arrested in January during a crackdown on illegal forestry activities in northern Kachin state, where a bloody civil war has raged since 2011 and both military and rebel forces are accused of profiting from the exploitation of the area’s rich natural resources by companies from China.

The polls have triggered criticism of Thein Sein’s government that it is backsliding on promised political reforms after nearly five decades of repressive military rule. According to Xinhua, the release of the imprisoned foreigners is aimed at fostering bilateral ties between Myanmar and the related countries.

However, there are thought to be more than 150 political prisoners still being held, the Irrawaddy news site reported, citing the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners.

Others freed under the pardons issued by President Thein Sein included former military intelligence officials purged by their army colleagues over a decade ago.

Earlier in July, Myanmar sentenced 153 Chinese people to life in prison and two loggers to 10 years in jail for illegal border crossing and logging.

The release of the Chinese nationals could help to placate China, Myanmar’s influential neighbour, which had lodged a diplomatic protest and expressed “extreme” concern about the original verdicts.

China’s Foreign Ministry said Myanmar authorities had notified Chinese official that the 155 would be handed over to their custody on Friday. They include former Brig Gen Than Tun, who served as a liaison officer between the former military government and Aung San Suu Kyi, the pro-democracy leader who was then under house arrest.

China is also seen as providing a safe haven for some Myanmar ethnic rebel groups, with whom Myanmar’s government wants to reach cease-fire agreements.

An inmate (centre) is reunited with his family.

Those pardoned included eight former senior military-intelligence officers who since 2004 have been serving jail terms of 80 years or more, said members of their families.