3 weeks ago

Exiled Myanmar ambassador on trial in UK for trespass

Exiled Myanmar ambassador on trial in UK for trespass
Exiled Myanmar ambassador on trial in UK for ‘trespass’ at diplomatic residence · theprint.in

Kyaw Zwar Minn used to be Myanmar's ambassador to the United Kingdom, like a messenger between two countries.

He lived in a big official house in London called Myanmar House.

In February 2021, soldiers in Myanmar grabbed power in a coup, taking over the government.

Minn did not agree with them, and he asked for the release of Myanmar's leader Aung San Suu Kyi.

The new military government fired him and told him to leave the house, but he said they were not the real government.

He believed only the old, elected leaders could tell him what to do, so he stayed in the house for years.

The police took him to court in London, where a judge and lawyers are deciding whether staying was against the law.

Minn says he should be allowed to stay because the people who fired him were not the rightful leaders.

The lawyers for the government say he was properly fired and had to leave, no matter what he thinks about the coup.

The trial is still happening, and the court has not made its final decision yet.

Key facts

Defendant
Kyaw Zwar Minn
Age
68
Charge
Diplomatic trespass
Location
Myanmar House, northwest London
Alleged offence period
May 2021 – November 2024
Plea
Not guilty
Court
Westminster Magistrates' Court, London
Trial status
Ongoing

Quotes

Prosecutor Louise Oakley

Prosecutor at Westminster Magistrates’ Court

“"Having been granted permission to reside at Myanmar House as the ambassador, his refusal to vacate the diplomatic premises after he was removed from that position means that he is guilty of the offence of diplomatic trespass."”
theprint.in
“"The military authorities could not lawfully terminate his licence at the (diplomatic) address … and nor could they legitimately use the property."”
theprint.in

Sources

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