Karenni interim executive council grants amnesty and commutes sentences for 234 prisoners

Mizzima

The Interim Executive Council of Karenni State (IEC) announced on the morning of 17 April, 2026, that it has granted amnesty and commuted the sentences of 234 prisoners to mark the first day of the Myanmar New Year.

According to an official statement, the decision was made on humanitarian grounds and affected detainees across various correctional facilities under the council’s jurisdiction.

The release included 25 prisoners and detainees who were granted full amnesty, while another 209 individuals received sentence reductions. These actions were carried out under Article 75(b) of the Karenni Interim Plan.

“The investigation is conducted by the Justice Department, with initial recommendations for release coming from the Rehabilitation Division. The amnesty review board then examines these cases and submits its report, after which clemency is granted with the approval of the council’s senior members,” said IEC Secretary U Banyar.

The statement did not specify which offenses were pardoned or identify the prisoners who received clemency.

On 21 June, 2025, the IEC granted pardons and commuted sentences for 176 prisoners and detainees to mark the 150th Karenni National Day.

This move in Karenni State coincides with a separate nationwide announcement by the military-led administration in Naypyidaw, which granted pardons to 4,335 prisoners across the country for the New Year.