Ten Political Prisoners Among 8,500 Freed in Myanmar

YANGON (Reuters) - Myanmar's military junta has freed more than 8,500 prisoners, including at least 10 political detainees, official media and opposition sources said on Tuesday.

The releases, which began on Nov. 16 and ended on Monday, were aimed at "forging the national solidarity in the country and cooperation with international communities, including the United Nations," the New Light of Myanmar said.

An opposition source said 10 political prisoners were among those freed, but there were no details. Thirty-three Thais were also granted amnesties, the New Light of Myanmar said.

It was not clear if any of 8,552 released were arrested in connection with protests in August and September against soaring fuel prices and army rule that has been in place since 1962.

National police chief Khin Yi told a news conference on Monday that 2,927 people, including 596 monks, had been arrested in the crackdown on the biggest anti-junta protests in nearly 20 years.

Eighty people, including 21 monks, remained in detention pending further investigations, he said. Unspecified "legal action" would be taken against those found guilty.

At least 15 people died in the junta's crackdown against the monk-led protests, drawing unprecedented international criticism and pressure to embark upon meaningful democratic reform, including from key ally and trading partner China.

Despite the chorus of outside disapproval, the generals have made clear they do not intend to do anything outside the framework of their seven-step democracy roadmap, which the West says will simply solidify the army's iron grip on power.