Myanmar asks govt to release prisoners
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Yangon -- Myanmar's ambassador to Thailand has requested that the government release tens of thousands of Myanmar citizens currently jailed in the Kingdom.
U Tin Win sent the formal request to Foreign Minister Surapong Towichukchaikul on December 6.
Most Myanmar nationals serving time in Thai prisons were convicted of illegal migration. Many were trafficked into Thailand.
About 1,500 Myanmar nationals are imprisoned in Thailand for murder and drug offences. Serious drugdealing offences carry the death penalty.
The Kingdom transfers inmates serving long sentences to their country of origin after eight years in prison, provided they exhibit good behaviour. However, previous governments in Myanmar failed to lobby for their citizens’ release.
Eleven Media
