Ousted Myanmar ambassador appeals for UK government help
Myanmar’s ambassador to the United Kingdom, Kyaw Zwar Minn, approaches the gates to speak to the media outside his residence in London, Thursday, Apr 15, 2021. The Myanmar ambassador who has criticised the military coup in his country is due to be evicted from the property after the embassy was taken over by diplomats loyal to the military regime last Wednesday. (AP Photo/Alberto Pezzali)
LONDON: The ousted Myanmar ambassador to Britain has appealed to the British government to help him as he faced eviction from his London residence.
Kyaw Zwar Minn had to spend a night in his car last week after his country’s military attache barred him from the embassy in central London.
He told reporters from behind the padlocked gates of his residence in northwest London on Thursday (Apr 15) that he is “not going to go today” and intends to stay despite orders from his former staff members that he has to move out.
The former diplomat had called for the release of former elected leader Aung San Suu Kyi, who was detained after the military took power in a coup on Feb. 1.
Asked what he would do over the next few days, he replied: “Who can tell? The last time they seized the embassy without warning, so I need to be careful.”
He did not elaborate on what kind of help he wanted from the British government.
READ: Britain slams 'bullying' Myanmar over London embassy standoff
READ: UK offers shelter to ousted Myanmar ambassador
Britain Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab said last week he condemned the “bullying actions of the Myanmar military regime in London.”
More than 700 people in Myanmar have been killed in a brutal crackdown against pro-democracy protesters and others opposed to February’s coup.
