A sight they thought they'd never see - political prisoners in Myanmar walk free.<br/> Up to 651 prisoners will be released from prisons around the country in a process of radical reforms initiated by the country's new civilian government.<br/> It was allowed to assume control last March after almost half a century of rule by the military.<br/> Among the released were former Prime Minister Khin Nyunt and the chairman of the former Shan Nationalities League for Democracy, Khun Tun Oo.<br/> The government has also started talks with Nobel peace laureate and democracy activist Aung San Suu Kyi who was finally released from house arrest in 2010.<br/> Both Europe and the U.S. have said that freeing political prisoners is crucial to the consideration of lifting economic sanctions that have isolated this former British colony.<br/> The next step in the reform process - which has included the relaxing of media restrictions - will be April by-elections, in which Suu Kyi and her National League for Democracy are due to take part.<br/> Sunita Rappai, Reuters
