A total of 138 political prisoners including students facing trial connected with politics were released as of Friday night after their cases were withdrawn, official sources said.

Of the 138 freed political prisoners, 25 are women. They were released from prisons in Bago, Magway, Yangon, Mandalay regions.

In addition, 2,178 other prisoners, who were set to enjoy cut of prison terms on new year occasion, were also released.

The authorities’ move was made in response to State Counselor Aung San Suu Kyi’ efforts to free political prisoners on the occasion of the upcoming Myanmar new year falling on next week.

The release is the first after the new government took office.

More releases are expected to be made in the following days despite holidays ahead of Myanmar water festival which is to start next Tuesday.