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Longest-held prisoner freed in Myanmar

— Photo: AP

Win Tin (78) after his release on Tuesday.

YANGON: Myanmar’s longest-serving political prisoner, journalist Win Tin, was freed on Tuesday after 19 years behind bars. He vowed to continue his struggle to achieve democracy in the military-ruled country.

Mr. Win Tin’s release came as part of an amnesty granted to 9,002 prisoners. It was not immediately clear how many of those released were political prisoners. Amnesty International said last month there were 2,050 political prisoners in Myanmar.

The amnesty came just days ahead of the one-year anniversary of the junta’s crackdown on anti-government protests that were led by Buddhist monks. The UN estimated at least 31 people were killed when the Army fired on peaceful protesters in the September 26-27, 2007 crackdown, sparking global outrage.

Mr. Win Tin (78) said he would continue to wear his light blue prison uniform as a show of protest against the junta “I have to continue with my unfinished task of trying to achieve democracy in Myanmar,” he told reporters at a friend’s home in Yangon after his release from the notorious Insein Prison. He appeared alert and healthy despite recent reports that he is ill.

Asked how it felt to be out of prison, he replied: “I will be happy only when all political prisoners, including Aung San Suu Kyi, are released.” — AP

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