Former Myanmar PM Khin Nyunt released in amnesty

YANGON - Myanmar former Prime Minister U Khin Nyunt was among as many as over 600 prisoners being freed by the government Friday under Thursday's amnesty order endorsed by President U Thein Sein, official sources confirmed.

Along with Khin Nyunt, 200 of his followers and ex-officials were also released. Among them are two of his sons - Zaw Naing Oo, an ex-army officer, and Ye Naing Win, an ex-businessman, who were serving long years' jail terms for a number of economic offenses including export-import violations and illegal possession of public property.

Khin Nyunt, 73, was sentenced to a 44-year suspended sentence in July 2005 by a special court at Yangon's Insein Jail on such charges as including bribery and corruption.

He served the sentence by remaining under house arrest at his home instead of in prison after the sentence was handed down on him, according to early report.

Cited with "health reason", Khin Nyunt was removed from post in October 2004 on charge of involvement in major bribery and corruption cases, violation of the army discipline by his insubordination and commitment of certain acts which were said not legal.