(Reuters) – On Sunday, relatives of many prisoners gathered in front of Myanmar’s Insein Prison after the military announced that the 1,600 captives would be freed as part of an amnesty marking the Southeast Asian country’s new Year.

Last year, 23,000. Only half of those released under the annual amnesty. The amnesty did not include the release of civilian officials who were overthrown by a coup on February 1, 2021.

A journalist on the ground told Reuters there had been no release of political protestors from Insein so far.

Aung Lin Dwe (Lt. General), a state secretary of the junta signed a statement declaring that 1,619 prisoners, 42 of whom are foreigners, would be released by the Amnesty under celebrations of Myanmar’s New Year. This was to address humanitarian issues and bring joy to the people.

According to activist group the Assistance Association of Political Prisoners(AAPP), at least 13282 persons have been arrested and 1,756 others killed since the coup.

Aung San Suu Kyi (the leader of the government that was ousted) is being detained in Naypyidaw. Sean Turnell, her Australian economic advisor, is also in Naypyidaw.

A spokesperson for AAPP told Reuters that the junta holds political prisoners hostage. A spokesperson for the junta did not reply to requests for comment. The junta has previously disputed AAPP’s figures.

According to the local reporter who requested anonymity for security purposes, families holding placards with the names of loved ones were seen standing near plainclothes officers on Sunday.

Eight months ago, a mother of 22-year old protester was detained in Insein. Her son had sent her a letter indicating that he could be released under an April amnesty.

A mother whose son, a police officer, was detained in June after he participated in Civil Disobedience Movement against junta. She said that her son had previously waited outside of the prison during amnesty periods.

She said, “I feel he’ll be released today,” but she did not want to identify the victim for fear of reprisal.