Myanmar’s Former Ambassador to London Faces Police Inquiry for Refusing to Leave Residence
The former ambassador of Myanmar to London, Kyaw Zwar Minn, is currently under police investigation for his refusal to vacate the diplomatic residence. The military junta stripped him of his post following a coup in 2021. Zwar Minn’s lawyer, Neil Swift, confirmed that his client was interviewed by the police on August 15th regarding allegations of trespassing on diplomatic premises.
The diplomatic residence in question was seized by diplomats close to the junta in April 2021, who denied Zwar Minn access to the premises. Zwar Minn had been a staunch supporter of Aung San Suu Kyi’s civilian government, which was overthrown by the military coup in February of that year. During the initial incident, the British government expressed its support for Zwar Minn, stating that it would provide him with protection.
Zwar Minn has remained inside the ambassador’s residence since then and has refused to relinquish it to representatives of Myanmar’s current government, whose legitimacy he does not recognize. According to Swift, the property belongs to the Union of Myanmar, and Zwar Minn has expressed his willingness to hand over the keys to a representative of the democratically elected government.
As of now, Zwar Minn has not faced any criminal charges. Swift highlighted that the British attorney general would need to assess whether there is sufficient evidence of any offense at all.
Requests for comments from the British foreign office and the police regarding the ongoing situation have gone unanswered.
The military coup in Myanmar in 2021 has ushered in a period of conflict, resulting in the displacement of over a million people, according to the United Nations. Thousands more have been arrested, further exacerbating the turmoil within the country.
Relations between Myanmar and the United Kingdom, its former colonial power, have significantly deteriorated since the military took control. The refusal of the former ambassador to leave the residence, backed by the British government, has added fuel to the diplomatic tensions between the two nations.
While Zwar Minn’s refusal to vacate the diplomatic residence clearly demonstrates his support for the overthrown government, it also raises questions about the sovereignty of diplomatic premises and the recognition of legitimate governments. The ongoing police inquiry will determine the next steps in this complex and politically charged situation.
