Anti-Corruption: MoRAC Union Ex-Minister Sentenced To 12 Years In Prison

Yangon Region High Court sentenced former Union min­ister for Religious Affairs and Culture Thura U Aung Ko, who has been charged under Section 55 of the Anti-Cor­ruption Law for various cor­ruption cases to 12 years in prison, Monday.

The Anti-Corruption Commission formed an inves­tigation team into allegations of extortion by the former Un­ion minister. According to the finding of the investigation team, he received a blank cheque worth 10 million Kyats and 30 million Kyats from relevant per­sons in connexion with the annual awarding of eight re­ligious titles to individuals by the State.

He also received a Ford Everest Titanium vehicle worth 100.5 million kyats and a gold plate weighing about 20 ticals free of charge provided by a businessman for the long-term convenience of the business.

A case was filed against him under Section 55 of the Anti-Corruption Law on 19th March 2021 in the Yangon Re­gion High Court. As he was found guilty for the above cas­es, he was sentenced to 12 years in prison with labour. It is also reported that the court issued an order to confiscate the Ford vehicle, 10 million Kyats and the gold plate.