Outcry as junta ousts envoy from its London embassy
Crackdown continues in Myanmar, with 11 protesters reportedly killed; forces detain actor who spoke out against coup leaders
LONDON: Britain on Thursday condemned “bullying” by the Myanmar junta after the country’s ambassador to London was ousted in an extraordinary diplomatic coup after calling for the release of civilian leader Aung San Suu Kyi.
In a move that has implications for Myanmar’s network of diplomats across the world, the ambassador was locked out of his London embassy on Wednesday by his deputy at the behest of the Myanmar military who seized power on February 1.
The junta recalled Kyaw Zwar Minn last month after he issued a statement urging them to release Suu Kyi and deposed civilian President Win Myint.
British foreign minister Dominic Raab tweeted his support for the ambassador, who spent the night in his car outside the embassy. “We condemn the bullying actions of the Myanmar military regime in London yesterday, and I pay tribute to Kyaw Zwar Minn for his courage,” Raab wrote.
UK sources said the Myanmar authorities had given official notice of Kyaw Zwar Minn’s termination as ambassador, and in line with diplomatic policy the government had no choice but to accept it.
The defence attache has installed deputy ambassador Chit Win as charge d’affaires.
Myanmar’s military spokesman Zaw Min Tun confirmed the country’s foreign affairs ministry had been in touch with their UK counterparts in London over the incident.
“We have sent official appointment letter already for Chit Win as the chief of mission there. They have accepted,” he told AFP, adding the ambassador was required to return home.
As Myanmar’s security forces struggled to quell protests and a movement against the coup, local media reports said there were a further 11 deaths on Thursday, though AFP has been unable to confirm this figure.
As part of its efforts to suppress the movement, the junta has issued a wanted notice for about 120 celebrities accused of fanning the protests by lending their support.
On Thursday, the military arrested leading actor, model and heartthrob Paing Takhon in a dawn raid at his mother’s home in Yangon.
The 24-year-old - a star in both Myanmar and neighbouring Thailand - has been active in the protest movement both in person at rallies and through his massive social media following.