Myanmar frees hundreds of detained demonstrators

• Myanmar on Wednesday released hundreds of people arrested during the crackdown on protests.
• Several buses full of prisoners drove out of Yangon’s Insein Prison in the morning, lawyers and other witnesses said.
• There was no word from authorities on how many prisoners were freed.

Myanmar’s ruling junta on Wednesday freed hundreds of people arrested in its crackdown on protests against the overthrow of the elected government, while businesses in Yangon were shut and streets deserted in a strike called by anti-coup activists.

Several buses full of prisoners drove out of Yangon’s Insein Prison in the morning, lawyers and other witnesses said. There was no word from authorities on how many prisoners were freed. A spokesman for the military did not answer calls.

“All the released are the ones arrested due to the protests, as well as night arrests or those who were out to buy something,” said a member of a legal advisory group who said he saw about 15 buses leaving.

Among those freed was Thein Zaw, a journalist for The Associated Press who was arrested last month, AP reported, quoting him as saying the judge had dropped the charges.

The Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (AAPP) activist group says at least 2,000 people have been arrested in the military crackdown on protests that broke out following the coup on Febuary 1.

It was not clear what prompted the junta to release the detainees, although it has faced repeated calls from foreign governments and organisations to do so.

At least 275 people have been killed as the security forces employed lethal force to quell the unrest, according to the AAPP. Five more people were wounded in Mandalay, Myanmar’s second city, after nightfall on Wednesday, Myanmar Now media outlet reported.

It quoted residents saying security forces started shooting after people banged pots and pans in an act of opposition to the military.

Earlier in Mandalay, the funeral took place of a seven-year-old girl killed on Tuesday - the youngest known victim of the crackdown. Soldiers shot at her father in their home but hit the girl, Khin Myo Chit, who was sitting on his lap, Myanmar Now reported.