Six-Year-Old Arrested Among 16 Suspects in Myanmar Assassination Case
Security forces in Myanmar have detained 16 individuals, including a six-year-old girl, linked to the assassination of retired Brigadier General Cho Tun Aung. The 68-year-old former army officer and ex-ambassador to Cambodia was fatally shot outside his residence in Yangon's Mayangon township on May 22, 2025.
Details of the Arrests
The suspects comprise 13 males and three females and were apprehended across four different regions between May 23 and 29. The six-year-old girl, Lin Latt Shwe, is reportedly the daughter of one of the alleged assassins, Myo Ko Ko, who has multiple aliases. The child and her parents were arrested in the central city of Bagan.
Among those detained is also the owner of a private hospital, suspected of providing medical treatment to Myo Ko Ko, who sustained a gunshot injury during the assassination.
Context and Motivations Behind the Attack
A militant faction known as the Golden Valley Warriors claimed responsibility for the killing, stating that Cho Tun Aung was involved in internal security and counterterrorism training at Myanmar’s National Defense College. The group accused him of complicity in atrocities amid the ongoing civil conflict following the military coup of February 2021.
This assassination highlights the targeting of military-linked figures during Myanmar's prolonged civil war. Besides retired and active military officers, senior civil servants, local administrators, business associates of military officials, and alleged collaborators have also been victims of similar attacks.
Ongoing Conflict and Human Rights Concerns
The military junta in Myanmar faces widespread accusations of gross human rights violations. The civil war has seen frequent violent clashes, including bombing campaigns against villages resulting in multiple civilian casualties.
The assassination of Cho Tun Aung reflects the escalating violence and deepening unrest in the country since the overthrow of the civilian government.
Key Points Summary
- Retired Brig. Gen. Cho Tun Aung was assassinated in Yangon on May 22, 2025.
- Six-year-old Lin Latt Shwe among 16 suspects arrested in connection with the attack.
- The Golden Valley Warriors claimed responsibility, citing Cho’s role in military training.
- Suspects arrested across four regions between May 23-29, including hospital owner aiding the gunman.
- Backdrop of ongoing civil war and human rights abuses in Myanmar since 2021 coup.
