![Pinterest](https://pinterest.com/pin/create/button/?url=https://uknews.evprotec.com/myanmar-frees-former-uk-ambassador-vicky-bowman-in-mass-amnesty/&media=https://uknews.evprotec.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/TELEMMGLPICT000306768426_trans_NvBQzQNjv4BqmWfkxmh73phBn6AfiLYjuEBnguhzyZXaxMKjhRV8c_U.jpeg&description=A plane carrying the former British ambassador to Myanmar left Yangon on Thursday after she was freed by the military junta in a mass amnesty. Vicky Bowman, who was jailed for a year in September, was bound for Bangkok along with Sean Turnell, an Australian academic, and Toru Kubota, a Japanese filmmaker, diplomatic sources said. Ms Bowman was among almost 6,000 prisoners released from jail by Myanmar's junta, in a sign the country's military rulers may be bending to the pressure of international sanctions. Htein Lin, Ms Bowman's Burmese husband, was also included in the amnesty, but it is unclear whether he was on the flight on Thursday. James Cleverly, the Foreign Secretary, welcomed the news of Ms Bowman's release, but said all those "unjustly imprisoned" in Myanmar should be freed. Antony Blinken, the US Secretary of State, welcomed the amnesty but said there was no sign the junta was opening up. "It is one bright spot in what is otherwise an incredibly dark time, where we see things going from bad to worse in Burma," Mr Blinken said, using Myanmar's former name. "While we are pleased to see the release of those wrongfully detained, I can't tell you that it suggests anything larger about whether there is a genuine change in direction by the regime."){kind=link}
Former envoy is among almost 6,000 prisoners released by Myanmar’s junta, in a sign the military rulers may be bending to sanctions
A plane carrying the former British ambassador to Myanmar left Yangon on Thursday after she was freed by the military junta in a mass amnesty.
Vicky Bowman, who was jailed for a year in September, was bound for Bangkok along with Sean Turnell, an Australian academic, and Toru Kubota, a Japanese filmmaker, diplomatic sources said.
Ms Bowman was among almost 6,000 prisoners released from jail by Myanmar’s junta, in a sign the country’s military rulers may be bending to the pressure of international sanctions.
Htein Lin, Ms Bowman’s Burmese husband, was also included in the amnesty, but it is unclear whether he was on the flight on Thursday.