Ex-Myanmar Ambassador Quizzed by UK Police Over Diplomatic Dispute
British cops have questioned Kyaw Zwar Minn, the ousted Myanmar ambassador to London, over his refusal to leave the ambassadorial residence. Stripped of his post by Myanmar’s military junta after the 2021 coup, Zwar Minn’s defiance has ramped up tensions between the UK and Myanmar.
Refused to Hand Over Embassy Keys
Zwar Minn’s lawyer, Neil Swift, revealed the former envoy was grilled by police on August 15th about allegations of trespassing on diplomatic property. Zwar Minn has lived in the ambassadorial home since 2013 but lost official access in April 2021 when junta-backed diplomats seized control of the London embassy. Despite this, he insists the residence still belongs to Myanmar’s legitimate, democratically elected government.
“He remains willing to hand over the keys, but only to a representative of Myanmar’s civilian government,” said Swift. Zwar Minn faces no criminal charges yet, pending review by the British attorney general.
UK Stands by Ousted Ambassador Amid Myanmar Crisis
The British government condemned the junta’s takeover and vowed to protect the ex-ambassador. Zwar Minn was a vocal supporter of Aung San Suu Kyi’s civilian regime, toppled in February 2021. Since the coup, Myanmar has been plunged into chaos with over a million displaced and widespread arrests.
Relations between Myanmar and its former colonial ruler, the UK, have nosedived. Zwar Minn’s standoff is now a high-profile symbol of the diplomatic row between London and the military junta in Naypyidaw.
