Myanmar pardons inmates to mark independence day

YANGON - Myanmar government pardoned some inmates as a gesture to mark the country's Independence Day which is falling on Saturday, according to an order of the President's Office published Friday.

Some inmates sentenced to death are to be commuted to life imprisonments while others serving life imprisonment and those with more than 40 years to serve have to serve 40 years in prison.

Other inmates with jail terms of 40 years and under are to be cut one-fourth, said the order signed by President U Thein Sein.

The order came days after U Thein Sein announced on last December 30 the release of all remaining political prisoners held across the nation.

Scrutinized by the government, a total of 354 political prisoners had been freed in 2013.