zarganar had been sentenced to 59 years in prison. he was critical of the government for rejecting international aid after a cyclone hit the country in 2008. more than 130,000 people died in the disaster. zarganar was considered a symbolic figure among myanmar's political prisoners and told nhk he has mixed feelings about his release. >> translator: i felt sad for the people remaining in prison more than i felt happy for myself. my heart goes out to them, that reduces any feelings of happiness. >> myanmar's government recently has shown signs of concessions. the thein sein president held talks with pro-democracy leader aung sun suu kyi and the government canceled a dam project opposed by pro-democracy groups citing possible environmental damage. but zarganar said he was skeptical about the government's overtures. >> translator: just one day before my release i was convinced by what suu kyi said that myanmar was changing, but when i was set free from prison i came to feel doubts. the government has not been so generous. so i was doubtf