The new Myanmar government led by Aung San Suu Kyi has released nearly 200 political prisoners, and is expected to free others after the Buddhist New Year holidays that start this week.

The Ministry of Information said 199 political activists were released from detention after police dropped charges against them on Friday, ahead of the April 9-20 holiday.

Those freed included 69 student activists arrested a year ago during a march to demand education reform.

The ministry said on its website more political prisoners were to be released under an amnesty, and the cases against remaining political activists will be dismissed after the holiday.