Myanmar's State Administration Council decided on Saturday to pardon 814 Myanmar prisoners and seven foreign prisoners to mark the Diamond Jubilee Union Day, according to state-run media.

The council also closed the cases against 46 members and others concerned of the Arakan Army who are still being prosecuted in various courts in the country.

The amnesty is to mark Diamond Jubilee Union Day and create humanitarian ground as well as in view of relations between the respective countries and Myanmar, while establishing a new democratic state with peace, development and disciplines, the council said.

According to a separate pardon order, the sentences for Nang Khin Htwe Myint, former Kayin State chief minister who was imprisoned, were reduced by half under section 401 (1) of the Code of Criminal Procedure.

The state of emergency was extended for six more months on January 31, 2022, after its first declaration in February 2021, and the state power was transferred to Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services Sen-Gen Min Aung Hlaing.

Myanmar's State Administration Council released about 23,000 prisoners last April, and a similar number of prisoners were released on last year's Union Day as well.

(With input from Xinhua)