Updated

Myanmar's reformist president has granted a pardon to people convicted of or charged with a variety of political offenses.

It isn't immediately clear how many are covered by President Thein Sein's pardon, which was announced on state television Monday.

The TV also said that the president ordered a halt to all ongoing trials and investigations stemming from charges of unlawful association, high treason, contempt of government and violation of the peaceful assembly law.

Thein Sein, a former general who was elected in 2011 after five decades of military rule, had pledged to free all political offenders by the end of this year.