Aung Thaung, former military strongman, dies in Singapore: reports

Aung Thaung, a controversial ruling party lawmaker and former military hardliner, has reportedly died in Singapore. He was 74.
 
The Union Solidarity and Development Party politician, who was in hospital with a brain injury, died at about 8:15am on July 23, 7Day Daily reported.
 
His body is expected to arrive at Yangon International Airport this afternoon.
 
The politician, a former minister for industry from 1997 to 2011, was believed to have led a faction of hardliners within the USDP after the transition to semi-civilian government.
 
In 2014, he was blacklisted by the United States, who accused him of blocking political reforms and taking an indirect role in episodes of anti-Muslim violence.

Photo / Aung Thaung giving a speech to party members on June 19, 2015 / USDP

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