Myanmar leader pardons 9,500 prisoners but not 2 reporters

YANGON, Myanmar – More than 9,500 prisoners are being released in Myanmar under a presidential amnesty, but they don't include two Pulitzer Prize-winning Reuters reporters.

The Facebook page of the Office of President Win Myint says he has signed a pardon for 9,551 prisoners, including 16 foreigners, to be released nationwide on the occasion of the country's traditional New Year.

Official lists of those to be freed are usually not made public, but activists monitor releases, especially at Yangon's Insein Prison, where most important detainees are held.

Sympathizers waited outside the prison for the possible release of two Reuters reporters jailed for breaking the Official Secrets Act, but they were not freed.

The Assistance Association for Political Prisoners says it knew of only two political detainees, imprisoned since 2000, being released.