Female Friend Harassed, Myanmar Military Minister's Son Fights In Restaurant, Owner Arrested

Illustration of the Myanmar military regime. (Source: seniorgeneralminaunghlaing.com.mm)

JAKARTA - A restaurant owner in Naypyitaw and other staff were arrested after the son of the Minister of Home Affairs Lieutenant General Soe Htut got into a fight at the restaurant on Monday, June 7 last.

The incident reportedly started after three young men eating at Excellent Restaurant in Zabuthiri Township, seduced two women at another table who were eating with Sithu Htut, the minister's son, and three other men.

Sithu Htut reportedly threw bottles and glasses at the man. Two left and the third ran into the kitchen. Sithu Htut chased and beat him, according to a source.

"Restaurant staff intervened and asked him to stop. Sithu Htut and his friends started punching staff who didn't know who he was and defended themselves," said the source, as reported by The Irrawaddy Thursday, June 10.

Shortly thereafter, about 20 Myanmar police vehicles surrounded the restaurant after one of Sithu Htut's friends called. There were already plainclothes policemen at the restaurant protecting Sithu Htut.

Staff was forced to squat while police searched the building and confiscated their phones. Many people, including the owner's wife and the bartender and their two infants were detained.

Seventeen female and male prisoners who were beaten in the kitchen were also released the next day. Meanwhile, the owner and 15 staff, including a woman, remain in custody.

"The restaurant owner arrived after the fight and asked what happened. The staff didn't know Sithu Htut was the minister's son," a source said.

A lawyer hired for the detainees was not allowed to see them.

"Things got tough that night. Things have gone back to the military era. The rank of your parents matters now," said a resident of the Tharyargone neighborhood where the incident took place.

To note, Sithu Htut is the youngest of three sons of Lieutenant General Soe Htut who reportedly owns a construction and tourism company.

Lieutenant General Soe Htut is said to be a confidant of coup leader Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, as well as a member of the regime's governing body, the State Administration Council.

Myanmar Coup. The VOI editorial team continues to monitor the political situation in one of the ASEAN member countries. Casualties from civilians continue to fall. Readers can follow the news covering the Myanmar military coup by clicking this link.