Myanmar president to grant amnesty ahead of US visit
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Yangon - Myanmar President Thein Sein plans to release at least 20 political prisoners Friday prior to his landmark visit to the United States next week, a prison watch group said.
"We heard that at least 20 political prisoners will be released Friday," said Tun Kyi, head of the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (AAPP-Burma), an exile group that monitors Myanmar's political prisoner situation.
Among those on the list for release was Nay Myo Zin, a former military captain and political activist who was earlier this month sentenced to six years in jail after being released under a previous amnesty, Tun Kyi said.
AAPP Burma says there are still more than 200 political prisoners in Myanmar prisons.
The amnesty was expected to be officially announced on state-run television at 8 pm (1300 GMT), on the eve of Thein Sein's departure for the United States, where he is scheduled to meet US President Barack Obama on Monday.
It has become the norm for Thein Sein to announce amnesties prior to making important trips abroad.//DPA
