Myanmar : More than one hundred deserters from Pathein prison were released

Pathein residents who know about the incident said that 103 prisoners were released from Pathein Prison in Erawati Region on National Day on December 7 and taken to the Southwest Regional Military Headquarters based in Pathein.

A resident of Pathein said that when they were released from prison, they were not asked to return to their homes and were taken away by the military council in four cars.

"Only 103 people were picked up from Pathein Prison yesterday. Four were picked up from Ngaputaw Police Station and they will be picked up from the rest of the districts. As far as we know, there are about 150 in all.

"The military deserters and the seniors were granted amnesty and released so that they could return to their positions with increased positions."

RFA contacted U Aung Thein Win, the provincial social minister, and U Aung Kyaw Myint, the warden of Pathein Aye-U Prison, to find out more about these issues, but they did not receive a response.

The military council announced on December 3 that it will accept re-enlistment in nearby armies as there have been requests from military veterans to return to duty, in addition to those who have no leave and deserters.

The statement also mentions that military personnel who commit common crimes who wish to serve in the military will be exempted from punishment.

Since then, there have been desertions from prisons and the release of those in prison, and political observers say that the military council army is having difficulty recruiting new soldiers, so they are using deserters and illegal soldiers.