Myanmar's ruling military says it has pardoned more than 9,600 prisoners to mark the country's 76th anniversary of gaining independence from Britain. But pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi is not believed to be among them.

The military said on Thursday, Independence Day, that the pardons included commuted sentences.

Inmates were released from Insein Prison in the city of Yangon as many relatives gathered outside.

The pardoned include pro-democracy activists and other political prisoners.

A photojournalist said he had been jailed for more than two years but is in good health. He said he wants to see many more inmates be freed as soon as possible.

Analysts say the military is seeking to deflect from criticism of its rule, which is widely regarded as oppressive both in and outside the country, as it continues to fight against ethnic minority militants.

A person close to Aung San Suu Kyi told NHK there is no information on whether she had been pardoned.

Aung San Suu Kyi has been detained since February 2021, when the military launched its coup. The Nobel Peace Prize laureate was convicted of corruption and other charges. Her prison term was reduced last August, but she still has to serve more than 25 years.