RIGHTS groups welcomed the release of a prominent Rohingya Muslim doctor Tun Aung, who was arrested while trying to calm rioters during sectarian violence.

The case against Dr Aung, sentenced to 17 years in prison following what was widely considered an unfair trial, received international attention.

He was accused of inciting violence between Rohingya Muslims and Rakhine Buddhists in June 2012, though rights groups said the doctor and community leader had been asked by authorities to intervene.

Assistance Association for Political Prisoners founder Bo Kyi said Dr Aung had been released on Monday.

Myanmar has freed more than 1,000 political prisoners since its former military rulers relinquished power, but jails continue to be refilled with protesters.

“Everyone incarcerated for their beliefs should be freed immediately,” said Equality Myanmar director Aung Myo Min, adding that the government “releases a few political prisoners, and then arrests a few more.”