Myanmar sets free several NLD figures
Several members of the opposition National League for Democracy said Win Tin, a former NLD top executive and confidante to detained party leader Aung San Suu Kyi, was among those freed, but uncertainty swirled over his fate as others said he remained at Yangon's Insein prison as of late Friday.
NLD central executive committee member Than Tun said Win Tin was released along with female provincial MP Mey Win Myint, and expected more political prisoners, especially those who were ailing or elderly, to be freed.
For all latest news, follow The Daily Star's Google News channel. Win Tin, 74 and in ill health, has spent the last 15 years behind bars, with several international human rights groups and the United Nations demanding his release.
"Political party members appeared to be released singly and driven away in cars to their homes," an NLD member told AFP outside the gates of Insein prison, where hundreds of people including 100 NLD members had gathered to welcome freed comrades.
"We saw at least four persons including Win Tin being driven away in cars," the member said.
But the man who authorities have allowed to meet with Win Tin during his time in jail said that while the award-winning writer was "on the list to be released", there was no evidence he had been freed.
"I went to see him today but I was not allowed to go in," said the source who requested anonymity. "I will be seeing him there tomorrow."
Party spokesman U Lwin said he could not confirm the release either.
"All of this has been something of a surprise to us," U Lwin said.
Win Tin was arrested in July 1989 during a crackdown on the pro-democracy movement, after civil unrest which had erupted the year before was brutally suppressed.
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