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Former Myanmar religion minister jailed for 13 years

Hsan Sint charged with graft and sedition, though many question the political motives
Former Myanmar religion minister jailed for 13 years
Published: October 20, 2014 09:26 AM GMT
Updated: October 19, 2014 10:26 PM GMT

A former religious affairs minister was sentenced to 13 years on Friday on sedition and graft charges, marking the harshest punishment for corruption yet handed down to a high-ranking official in Myanmar.

Hsan Sint, a former military officer, was sacked as Minister of Religious Affairs in June amid allegations he misused 10 million kyats (US$10,000) of state funds to build a pagoda bearing his family’s name in Naypyidaw.

He is the first minister to be convicted under President Thein Sein’s anti-corruption drive. Local media reports, however, suggest his sacking may have come about as a result of his public criticism of a government raid on a monastery whose ownership was in dispute.

Mahn Johnny, a National League for Democracy (NLD) MP representing Maungmya constituency Irrawaddy Division, said that the verdict appears to be political.

“I personally think that it is an internal affairs issue within the Union Solidarity Development Party (USDP),” Mahn Johnny, who worked with Hsan Sint in the Irrawaddy Division, said Monday.

Hsan Sint was an MP in the Irrawaddy Division constituency for the ruling USDP party before he became religious affairs minister. He was also a deputy commander of Yangon divisional military command.

Aye Lwin, chief convener of the Islamic Center of Myanmar, said that there were signs of improvement as Hsan Sint loosened some restrictions while serving as religious affairs minister.

“I can’t comment on the issue of Hsan Sint as it’s very complicated situation behind the [scenes],” he said.

Tin Tun, a defense lawyer for Hsan Sint, said he had little doubt the case was political and has lodged an appeal.

“The reason we appeal to the High Court is not an attempt to reduce the prison sentences; instead we try our best to release him unconditionally,” he said.

Rights groups said the case appears aimed at improving Myanmar’s image before it hosts a top-level ASEAN summit next month, at which world leaders including US President Barack Obama are due to attend.

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