Yangon Region High Court sentenced former Union min[1]ister for Religious Affairs and Culture Thura U Aung Ko, who has been charged under Section 55 of the Anti-Cor[1]ruption Law for various cor[1]ruption cases to 12 years in prison yesterday. 

            The Anti-Corruption Commission formed an inves[1]tigation team into allegations of extortion by the former Un[1]ion minister. According to the finding of the investigation team, he received a blank cheque worth K10 million and K30 million from relevant per[1]sons in connexion with the annual awarding of eight re[1]ligious titles to individuals by the State. He also received a Ford Everest Titanium vehicle worth K100.5 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 19 March 2021 in the Yangon Re[1]gion High Court. As he was found guilty for the above cas[1]es, 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, K10 million and the gold plate.