Murderers that assassinated ex-ambassador, legal advisor and political party chair within 2 years arrested in Yangon
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NP News - June 7
On 5 June evening, the State Administration Council (SAC) announced the arrest of a terrorist network that committed brutal and inhumane assassinations under political theme of three high-profilers in Yangon within two years from March 2023 to May 2025: the assassination of a famous legal advisor, the assassination of a political party chairman, and the recent assassination of a former ambassador.
On the morning of May 22, in Ward 5, Mayangone Township, U Cho Htun Aung (Retired Ambassador), who was walking in front of his house with his grandchild, was shot by two unidentified men (under investigation), resulting in his death.
In order to prevent such terrorist attacks from happening again, security forces conducted an investigation to find the perpetrators. Thanks to the public’s cooperation, it was learned that the bicycle used by the terrorist groups was loaded onto a three-wheeler on the day of the incident. The investigation led to the arrest of San Htet Aung (aka) Bago Thar (40), the driver of the three-wheeler used by the terrorists, at No. (248), Khaing Shwe Wa (3) Street, North Okkalapa Township, (L) Ward, along with the bicycle used in the terrorist attacks. In addition, Win Thu (aka) Kalarlay (39), who acted as an accomplice in the terrorist activities, was arrested at No. (233), Sein Chel Road, North Okkalapa Township, (L) Ward, according to the statement of the SAC.
According to the statements of the arrested suspects, the suspects Myo Ko Ko (aka) Sai Ko Ko (aka) Zin Min Htet (aka) Lin Let Zaw (28), his wife Pyone Pyone (24), and daughter Lin Let Shwe (6) were arrested in Nyaung-U Township, Old Bagan, and the driver Aung San Hein (25) who transported them and the contact Nyi Nyi Hlaing (39), who arranged the connection, were arrested in Mudon, Mon State.
According to the statement of the arrested suspect Myo Ko Ko (aka) Sai Ko Ko (aka) Zin Min Htet (aka) Lin Let Zaw, the family members of the remaining fugitive suspect Chit Ko Ko (aka) Kyaw Gyi, who participated in the assassination of U Cho Htun Aung, were found to be trying to escape to Myawaddy, so the security forces surrounded and arrested them. On May 26, Chit Ko Ko (aka) Kyaw Gyi's wife Myint Myint Htwe (39), Aung Ko Ko Chit (18), Zin Maung Maung (aka) Arnold (27), and Phyo Wai Aung (aka) Ashay Gyi (40), who helped them escape, were arrested at the Bago checkpoint, the statement said.
According to the statements of the arrested suspects, the suspects Min Sithu (aka) Angal Lay (29) and Kyaw Zin Thant (aka) Lwin Gyi (aka) Kyaw Zin) (33) who were scouts for the assassinations carried out by their terrorist group, including the assassination of U Cho Htun Aung on May 29, were arrested at their home at No. (177) on Zaygalay Street, Kyimyindaing Township, and the suspect Han Lin Aung (28) was arrested at No. (32) on Theinni Street, Thida Ward, Kyimyindaing Township.
In addition, according to the testimony of the arrested suspect Myo Ko Ko (aka) Sai Ko Ko (aka) Zin Min Htet (aka) Lin Let Zaw, he was injured in the left leg by a bullet while assassinating U Cho Htun Aung, and it was learned that he had se cretly treated the injury at the "Lin" Specialist Clinic located at No. (524), Myintaw Thar Road, 4/South Ward, Thaketa Township. Based on this information, on the afternoon of May 26, authorities arrested DCS Dr. Zaw Ko Ko (38), who provided the unauthorized treatment, and Dr. Ye Lin Soe (36), the owner of the “Lin” Special Clinic, which is operated by a group of DCS doctors. During the operation, a total of 16 individuals, 13 men and 3 women, were arrested along with evidence and materials used in the assassination.
According to the statements of the arrested suspects, the Golden Valley Warrior terrorist group was formed in Chiang Mai, Thailand, in March 2023 with the support of fugitive suspect Yi Mon from the terrorist organization NUG. The Golden Valley Warrior terrorist group, led by the remaining fugitive suspect Ko Htet, is composed of 8 members and was formed with the aim of carrying out terrorist bombings in Yangon and assassinating innocent people they disagree with by accusing them of being traitors, the statement said.
According to the statements of the arrested suspects, on May 15, the remaining fugitive suspect Ko Htet, the leader of the terrorist group called Golden Valley Warrior, sent U Cho Htun Aung’s photo and home location on Google Maps via Telegram and ordered him to be assassinated. The arrested suspects, Myo Ko Ko (aka) Sai Ko Ko (aka) Zin Min Htet (aka) Lin Let Zaw, Min Sithu (aka) Angal Lay, Kyaw Zin Thant (aka) Lwin Gyi (aka) Kyaw Zin, and the remaining fugitive suspect Chit Ko Ko (aka) Kyaw Gyi, visited U Cho Htun Aung’s home six times to check the situation. On May 21, the remaining fugitive suspect Ko Htet sent two pistols to Myo Ko Ko (aka) Sai Ko Ko (aka) Zin Min Htet (aka) Lin Let Zaw, the statement said.
On May 22, Myo Ko Ko (aka) Sai Ko Ko (aka) Zin Min Htet (aka) Lin Let Zaw and the remaining fugitive suspect Chit Ko Ko (aka) Kyaw Gyi, left the Safe House at No. (R/103/104), Tha Pyay Chan Ring Road, Ward (22), Shwe Pauk Kan Myothit, with a bicycle rented by Ko Htet. U Cho Htun Aung, who was walking in front of his house, was shot four times with a pistol by Myo Ko Ko (aka) Sai Ko Ko (aka) Zin Min Htet (aka) Lin Let Zaw. During the shooting, the pistol jammed, and as he attempted to clear it, a round accidentally discharged and hit his own left leg, causing injury. Afterwards, they returned to the safe house in Shwe Pauk Kan Myo Thit by bicycle. It was later discovered that the bicycle and the clothes worn during the assassination were hidden with the help of San Htet Aung (aka) Bago Thar and Win Thu (aka) Kalarlay, according to the report.
According to the testimony of the arrested suspects Myo Ko Ko (aka) Sai Ko Ko (aka) Zin Min Htet (aka) Lin Let Zaw, he secretly went to DCS Dr. Zaw Ko Ko at the "Lin" Specialist Clinic, which was previously connected by the remaining fugitive suspect Aung Thu, to receive medical treatment for his injuries. He was then arrested in the old city of Bagan while he and his family were trying to escape to Pakokku Township.
According to the statements of the arrested suspects, it was revealed that the terrorist group Golden Valley Warrior, at the behest of the fugitive suspect Yi Mon from the terrorist organization NUG, committed four assassinations. The cases are: On March 24, 2023, Myo Ko Ko (aka) Sai Ko Ko (aka) Zin Min Htet (aka) Lin Let Zaw shot and killed U Min Tay Zar Nyunt Tin, a legal advisor living on Development Road, Thanlyin Township, with a pistol, and the remaining fugitive suspects Chit Ko Ko (aka) Kyaw Gyi monitored the situation. On August 16, 2023, Myo Ko Ko (aka) Sai Ko Ko (aka) Zin Min Htet (aka) Lin Let Zaw and Chit Ko Ko (aka) Kyaw Gyi ambushed and shot a security guard with a pistol at Park (4) Street, Ward No. (3), Shwe Pyi Thar Township, with Han Lin Aung monitoring the situation. On December 1, Myo Ko Ko (aka) Sai Ko Ko (aka) Zin Min Htet (aka) Lin Let Zaw shot and killed U Than Tun, chairman of the New National Democracy Party, of Nga Moe Yeik (3) Street, Nga Moe Yeik Ward, Thingangyun Township, with a pistol, while Min Sithu (aka) Angal Lay and Kyaw Zin Thant (aka) Lwin Gyi (aka) Kyaw Zin watched the situation. On October 13, 2024, Myo Ko Ko (aka) Sai Ko Ko (aka) Zin Min Htet (aka) Lin Let Zaw shot and killed U Shwe Mann, No. (2) member of the Township Administrative group, with a pistol near Aung Mingalar School, Ward (11) of Hlaing Tharyar (West) Township, injuring the driver, U Thant Zin, with Kyaw Zin Thant (aka) Lwin Gyi (aka) Kyaw Zin watched the situation.
According to the testimonies of the arrested suspects, the Golden Valley Warrior terrorist group assassinated innocent people in Yangon, accusing them of being “Dalan”, and it was revealed that the terrorist organization NUG paid 200,000 kyats per time through NUG Pay for such assassinations. The arrested suspects will continue to be taken into effective legal action. The entire public is requested to protect and combat those who are carrying out violence and to arrest the suspects as soon as possible. If you receive information about their hiding places and movements, you can secretly report them to the relevant authorities. The informants and those who arrest them will be given a well-deserved secret reward. It is also stated that the entire public is requested to cooperate in efforts to restore peace and stability to the towns and villages as soon as possible.