A former minister and close ally of the head of Burma’s ruling junta has been sentenced to five years in prison for corruption, state media announced Saturday.
Soe Htut, a former interior minister, was removed from the country’s ruling council in September and was under investigation for corruption.
“He was charged under relevant sections of the law, the court martial heard his case and sentenced him to five years in prison,” the Global New Light of Myanmar newspaper said.
Soe Htut ordered his subordinates to issue passports to companies operating in the country, “abusing his rank and authority,” the newspaper said.
The official also “accepted bribes and failed to supervise companies that did not comply with the financial rules and regulations of the Interior Ministry’s Personnel Provident Fund,” it said.
Myanmar’s military has detained several senior officials within its ranks in recent months as the country’s civil war ravages its already struggling economy.
The junta is also battling a recent offensive by ethnic minorities in the north that has blocked key cross-border trade with China and represents the biggest military challenge to the generals since they came to power.