Myanmar’s ambassador to London Kyaw Zwar Minn has been locked out of the country’s embassy – apparently by his deputy, who was reported to have taken charge on behalf of the military.
Ambassador Kyaw Zwar Minn said he tried to gain access to the embassy on Wednesday for several hours but was unable to enter.
He also said that several of his staff were still inside the building, and were not being allowed out. Phone calls made to the embassy went unanswered and emails bounced back.
Since a military coup in February, Myanmar’s army has launched a crackdown on pro-democracy protesters and has been accused of hundreds of extrajudicial executions.
London ambassador Kyaw Zwar Minn has broken ranks with the ruling junta in recent weeks and issued a statement last month calling for the release of detained civilian leader Aung San Suu Kyi.
“It’s a kind of coup, in the middle of London … you can see that they occupy my building,” he said, adding that he was talking to Britain’s Foreign Office about the situation.
Officers from London’s Metropolitan Police were also on the ground, warning people to disperse as they were in violation of coronavirus restrictions.
London’s Metropolitan Police in a statement 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.”
UK’s Foreign and Commonwealth Office said it was “seeking further information following an incident at Myanmar’s embassy in London.”
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