Nyi Nyi Aung, a pro-democracy activist originally from Myanmar, was freed Thursday, a month after a court sentenced him to three years in prison with hard labor.

The New Light of Myanmar newspaper, a mouthpiece for the junta, said the government pardoned and deported Nyi Nyi Aung after giving "special consideration to bilateral friendship in accordance with the request made by the US State Department" to free him.

The US Embassy confirmed the release and said, "We welcome that development."

Ties between the two countries actually are strained and tense. In the past, Myanmar's state media have referred to the US as a "loudmouthed bully."