The Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (AAPP) General Secretary Bo Kyi has confirmed to Mizzima that 101 political prisoners were included in prisoners released by the President's pardon today as he approaches the last days of his tenure.
“Only 101 political prisoners were included, the remaining are 15 customs staff and other criminals. Over 400 workers, students, farmers, media persons and activists arrested and detained in connection with politics are still behind bars awaiting trial,” he said.
The move comes after a US envoy urged the quasi-civilian government last week to free all remaining political prisoners before the new parliament convenes next month.
Presidential spokesperson Zaw Htay said the pardon was signed to mark an ongoing peace conference hosted in north-western Myanmar by a top Buddhist monk, Sitagu Sayadaw, who has strong links to the hardline Ma Ba Tha Buddhist nationalist movement. 
"The release was aimed to mark the World Buddhist Peace Conference where the president is currently attending," he told AFP, without elaborating.
Though many of Myanmar's hundreds of political dissidents were jailed during repressive junta rule, scores of activists have also been thrown behind bars under Thein Sein's watch. 
Last March authorities launched a violent crackdown on a student-led education protest in the town of Letpadan, some two hours north of Yangon. 
Around 60 young activists remain in prison following that episode and face trial accused of stirring unrest.
Min Min, a land activist released from Yangon’s Insein prison this morning, told AFP that he worries about the others still behind bars. 
“We want all political prisoners to be freed,” he said. “There are many more political prisoners inside prison.”
Additional reporting AFP