(ANSA) - YANGON, 18 OCT - Burma will release over 5,000 prisoners who had been arrested for participating in anti-coup protests in the country: the leader of the military junta, Min Aung Hlaing, announced today.
Overall, 5,636 inmates will be released on the occasion of the Thadingyut festival, which is celebrated this Wednesday.
The announcement follows ASEAN's recent decision not to invite Min Aung Hlaing to the next Summit of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations scheduled for October 26-28.
The junta said it was "very disappointed" by Asean's decision.
(HANDLE).