A general, formerly a senior member of Myanmar’s ruling council, has received a five-year prison sentence from a military court for authority abuse and bribery, according to state-run media.
Lt. Gen. Soe Htut, who served as home affairs minister and in the State Administration Council, becomes the latest high-ranking officer imprisoned for corruption since the military seized power over 2 1/2 years ago.
The Global New Light of Myanmar reported Soe Htut directed subordinates to issue passports, accepted bribes, and neglected financial regulations. His dismissal from the army was noted in the newspaper, and investigations into alleged corruption started in Naypyitaw around September.
Two senior generals were recently sentenced to life imprisonment for various charges, highlighting potential splits within Myanmar’s secretive military leadership. Soe Htut’s role as home affairs minister drew criticism for the ministry’s involvement in suppressing the pro-democracy movement following the 2021 army takeover, and he faced removal from positions in a September reshuffle.
Myanmar Now reported his supervision of political prisoner executions in July last year. Aung San Suu Kyi, ousted in 2021, remains incarcerated on contested corruption charges widely perceived as politically motivated.
