Former Union Minister for Religious Affairs U Hsan Hsint was sentenced to 13 years imprisonment by Dekkhina District Court on 17th October after being found guilty of defamation of the state and the embezzlement of K7.2 million (US$720,000).
The judge passed sentence on a case he said revolved around the hoisting on an alleged ‘fake umbrella’ to the top of Aungbawdi Pagoda and the alleged distribution of 270 copies of the Myanmar Herald Tribune to member of the Region and State Sangha Nayaka committees in an attempt to defame the government and cause a rift between the government, the president, the monks and the people.
Dr Hla Myat Thway MP (Ayeyarwady Region Hluttaw, National League for Democracy, Yekyi Township 2) told Mizzima about the reaction in Ayeyarwady, where U Hsan Sint was once speaker of the House,
“After they have taken action against the former minister,” the people fear there is no minister who looks after them,” said Dr Hla Myat Thway.
Region Hluttaw MP U Zaw Win MP (Ayeyarwady Region Hluttaw, National Unity Party, Labutta Township) told Mizzima he found it difficult to believe in the guilt of Hsan Sint following the honest and righteous manner in which he acquitted himself in the regional parliament.
