Myanmar junta frees hundreds of people held after anti-coup protests

An arrested protester flashes the three-fingered salute while onboard a bus getting out of Insein prison (AP)

Hundreds of people imprisoned after demonstrating against the military coup in Myanmar have been released in the first apparent gesture by authorities to placate the protest movement.

Witnesses outside Insein Prison in Yangon saw busloads of mostly young people leaving the facility, with some flashing the three-finger gesture of defiance adopted by the protest movement.