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3/11/2021

United States Targets Family Members Profiting from Connection to Burmese Coup Leader | U.S. Department of the Tr…

United States Targets Family Members Profiting from
Connection to Burmese Coup Leader
March 10, 2021

WASHINGTON – Today, the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s O ice of Foreign Assets Control
(OFAC) sanctioned the two adult children of the commander-in-chief of the Burmese military
forces, Min Aung Hlaing, who is the leading actor in the overthrow of Burma’s democratically
elected government, as well as six companies of his two adult children. Treasury took these
actions in response to the Burmese military’s coup against the democratically elected civilian
government of Burma and its brutal killing of peaceful protesters. The United States stands
in solidarity with the people of Burma, and we remain committed to promoting
accountability for those responsible for the coup and ongoing violence. The United States
urges the immediate release of State Counselor Aung San Suu Kyi and President Win Myint,
as well as all others unjustly detained since February 1, including members of civil society,
journalists, and human rights activists.
“The indiscriminate violence by Burma’s security forces against peaceful protesters is
unacceptable,” said Director of the O ice of Foreign Assets Control Andrea M. Gacki. “The
United States will continue to work with our international partners to press the Burmese
military and police to cease all violence against peaceful protestors and to restore
democracy and the rule of law in Burma.”
In today’s action, Treasury is designating Aung Pyae Sone and Khin Thiri Thet Mon pursuant
to Executive Order 14014, “Blocking Property With Respect to the Situation in Burma,” for
being foreign persons who are spouses or adult children of a person whose property and
interests in property are blocked pursuant to E.O. 14014. Aung Pyae Sone and Khin Thiri
Thet Mon are adult children of the commander-in-chief of the Burmese military forces, Min
Aung Hlaing, whom OFAC designated on February 11, 2021, for being a leader or o icial of
the military or security forces of Burma. Aung Pyae Sone and Khin Thiri Thet Mon have a
variety of business holdings, which have directly benefitted from their father’s position and
malign influence. Aung Pyae Sone won a 30-year permit in 2013 to lease land for Yangon
Restaurant and Yangon Gallery in Rangoon without facing any competing bids. From 2013 to
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United States Targets Family Members Profiting from Connection to Burmese Coup Leader | U.S. Department of the Tr…

2018, Aung Pyae Sone paid less than 1 percent of the rental rate compared with other
properties in the same township, with the Rangoon government acknowledging that the
national government dictated the low rental rates. Meanwhile, Khin Thiri Thet Mon owns
Seventh Sense, a media production business with an exclusive contract with Nay Toe, an
actor who features prominently in marketing for Mytel, the mobile telephone operator
established by Min Aung Hlaing.
In addition to the individuals identified above, OFAC is also designating the following six
Burmese entities pursuant to E.O. 14014 for being owned or controlled by Aung Pyae Sone or
Khin Thiri Thet Mon:
A & M Mahar Company Limited
Sky One Construction Company Limited
The Yangon Restaurant
The Yangon Gallery
Everfit Company Limited
Seventh Sense Company Limited
Today’s action follows the Department of Commerce’s Bureau of Industry and Security’s
March 4, 2021 implementation of new export control restrictions on Burma and the addition
of four Burmese entities to the Entity List: the Burmese Ministry of Defence, the Burmese
Ministry of Home A airs, the Myanmar Economic Corporation, and the Myanmar Economic
Holding Limited. View the Department of Commerce’s press release on this action here.
SANCTIONS IMPLICATIONS
As a result of today’s action, all property and interests in property of the individuals and
entities named above, and of any entities that are owned, directly or indirectly, 50 percent or
more by them, individually or with other blocked persons, that are in the United States or in
the possession or control of U.S. persons, are blocked and must be reported to OFAC.
Unless authorized by a general or specific license issued by OFAC or otherwise exempt,
OFAC’s regulations generally prohibit all transactions by U.S. persons or within (or transiting)
the United States that involve any property or interests in property of designated or
otherwise blocked persons.
View more information on the persons designated today.

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