Myanmar’s ambassador to UK locked out of London embassy after speaking out against coup
‘This is a coup ... The British government won’t allow this one, you’ll see that,’ says Kyaw Zwar Min
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Myanmar’s ambassador to the UK has been locked out of its embassy in central London after speaking out against the military coup in the Southeast Asian country.
Kyaw Zwar Minn was denied entry to the building on Charles Street in Mayfair on Wednesday night.
He claimed there had been a “coup” by the “Myanmar military”, telling TheTelegraph: “They are refusing to let me inside. They said they received instruction from the capital, so they are not going to let me in.
“This is a coup. This is the UK, we are not in Myanmar, in Burma. They are not able to do this. The British government won’t allow this one, you’ll see that.”
Last month the BBC reported that Kyaw Zwar Minn had been recalled after he spoke out against the recent military coup and called for the release of the country’s civilian leader, Aung San Suu Kyi.
Read more:
Photos taken outside the embassy on Wednesday night showed the ambassador getting out of a car that bore a large image of Ms Suu Kyi across its rear window.
Kyaw Zwar Minn was also captured ringing a doorbell as he unsuccessfully tried to enter the building, with a small number of police officers standing nearby.
A Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office spokesperson said on Wednesday night: “We are seeking further information following an incident at Myanmar’s embassy in London.”
The prime minister has previously condemned the ousting of the elected government in Myanmar.
Boris Johnson criticised the “unlawful imprisonment of civilians” after Ms Suu Kyi was detained.
Myanmar’s military has since violently cracked down on opponents, with security forces reportedly killing hundreds of protesters and bystanders.
Foreign ministers from the G7 nations have also condemned the “intimidation and oppression” of protesters following the coup.
Foreign secretary Dominic Raab on Thursday tweeted condemning the “bullying actions of the Myanmar military regime in London”.
He added: “I pay tribute to Kyaw Zwar Minn for his courage. The UK continues to call for an end to the coup and the appalling violence, and a swift restoration of democracy.”
It is thought that government officials were in contact with the ambassador and the Myanmar regime on Wednesday evening to help seek a resolution to the situation.
Protesters have left bunches of flowers and posters attached to railings outside the embassy to commemorate civilian victims of the coup.
A spokesperson for the Metropolitan Police said: “We are aware of a protest outside the Myanmar embassy in Mayfair, London.
“Public order officers are in attendance. There have been no arrests.”
Additional reporting by PA
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments