3 weeks ago
Exiled Myanmar ambassador on trial in UK for trespass
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.
Myanmar's former UK ambassador Kyaw Zwar Minn, 68, went on trial for diplomatic trespass at Westminster Magistrates' Court in London.
He is charged with trespassing at Myanmar House, the ambassador's residence in northwest London, between May 2021 and November 2024.
Minn was locked out of his embassy months after the February 2021 coup and replaced by junta representatives after calling for Aung San Suu Kyi's release.
He pleaded not guilty, arguing the military government led by Min Aung Hlaing is illegitimate and could not lawfully remove him.
Prosecutors counter that Myanmar's Ministry of Foreign Affairs properly terminated his role and that his political views are irrelevant to the charge.
- Who
- Kyaw Zwar Minn, Myanmar's former ambassador to the United Kingdom, prosecuted by Louise Oakley and represented by David Perry.
- What
- Standing trial for the offence of diplomatic trespass at Myanmar House, the ambassador's residence he refused to vacate.
- Where
- Westminster Magistrates' Court, London.
- When
- Trial took place on Wednesday and continues; the alleged trespass ran from May 2021 to November 2024.
- Why
- Minn remained at the residence after being removed as ambassador for opposing the February 2021 military coup, saying the government that dismissed him is illegitimate.
Defense (Minn)
Prosecution
Legitimacy of Myanmar government
Defense (Minn)
Minn argues the government led by Min Aung Hlaing is illegitimate, so it could not lawfully terminate his role or require him to leave the residence.
Prosecution
Prosecutors say his role was properly terminated by Myanmar's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and that his view of the government's legitimacy is 'irrelevant' to the trespass charge.
Duty to vacate diplomatic premises
Defense (Minn)
Minn's lawyers say the military authorities could not lawfully end his licence to occupy the diplomatic address or use the property, because the coup that ousted him was illegitimate.
Prosecution
Prosecutors say he was ordered to hand over state-owned properties by mid-April 2021, was told by Britain's Foreign Office to leave, and had no defence once his licence was terminated.
International recognition
Defense (Minn)
Myanmar's military government is not formally recognised by most democratic nations, including Britain, which supports Minn's claim that it has no authority over him.
Prosecution
Prosecutors contend that even if the government is unrecognised, the ambassador's legal permission to occupy Myanmar House had been properly terminated.
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






