Myanmar’s former home affairs minister, Lieutenant General Soe Htut, has been sentenced to five years in prison on corruption charges by a military court. Soe Htut resigned from the junta’s cabinet in September and was subsequently arrested as part of a nationwide corruption probe in October. The military court found that he abused his power by instructing subordinates to issue passports to companies in the country, took bribes, and violated financial rules. The junta’s Global New Light of Myanmar reported the details on Saturday.
Soe Htut, described as the alter ego of regime leader Min Aung Hlaing, previously served as the commander of the Southern Command and as the military intelligence chief. In 2020, he was appointed as home affairs minister and deputy prime minister after the February 2021 coup. During his tenure, he oversaw the executions of anti-regime activists, triggering public outcry.
The former minister’s three sons have business interests in construction, hospitals, food manufacturing, and imports. Reports suggest that Soe Htut and his wife, Nilar Sein, enjoyed a luxury lifestyle and had a high-handed attitude toward subordinates. Nilar Sein was reportedly influential in matters related to promotions and transfers within the ministerial staff, requiring bribes for favorable outcomes.
It remains unclear if Nilar Sein and their sons will also face prosecution. In October, the junta issued life sentences to the former junta trade chief and his assistant for corruption. The sentencing reflects the junta’s ongoing efforts to address corruption within its ranks through legal action.
By FCCT Editorial Team
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