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Dominic Raab condemns 'bullying actions of Myanmar military' after it seized London embassy

Kyaw Zwar Minn, Myanmar's ambassador to the UK stands outside the London embassy - Jamie Lorriman
Kyaw Zwar Minn, Myanmar's ambassador to the UK stands outside the London embassy - Jamie Lorriman

Dominic Raab has condemned the "bullying actions of the Myanmar military regime" in London after the nation's ambassador to the UK was barred from entering his embassy.

Kyaw Zwar Minn, who has served as the Asian nation’s ambassador to the UK since 2014, told The Telegraph he had been “betrayed” by former colleagues whom he had worked alongside in the building.

The Foreign Secretary on Thursday paid tribute to the "courage" of diplomat Minn, who reportedly spent the night in his car having been locked out the evening before.

Watch: Myanmar envoy to London says military seized embassy in 'coup'

Mr Raab tweeted: "We condemn the bullying actions of the Myanmar military regime in London yesterday, and I pay tribute to Kyaw Zwar Minn for his courage.

"The UK continues to call for an end to the coup and the appalling violence, and a swift restoration of democracy."

Although himself a former military colonel, Minn drew the ire of his country’s armed junta last month after he expressed his opposition to the successful coup they launched on February 1.

He called publicly for the release of deposed civilian leader Aung San Suu Kyi and ousted president Win Myint. He also went on to hold a meeting with Mr Raab, who applauded his “courage and patriotism” in speaking out. The Foreign Secretary called on the military regime to “end their brutal crackdown and restore democracy”.

Kyaw Zwar Minn, Myanmar's ambassador to the UK stands outside the London embassy - Jamie Lorriman
Kyaw Zwar Minn, Myanmar's ambassador to the UK stands outside the London embassy - Jamie Lorriman

In the aftermath of Kyaw Zwar Minn's statement, Myanmar’s state broadcaster said he had been recalled as ambassador for issuing an unauthorised declaration.

Blocked on Wednesday evening from re-entering the diplomatic mission, which is situated on Charles Street in Mayfair, he said: “When I left the embassy, they stormed inside the embassy and took it. They are from the Myanmar military.

“They are refusing to let me inside. They said they received instruction from the capital, so they are not going to let me in.

“This a coup. This is the UK, we are not in Myanmar, in Burma. They are not able to do this. The British Government won’t allow this one, you’ll see that.”

He indicated he was in contact with the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) but declined to disclose the substance of the discussions.

He said he was “frustrated” by the events, adding: “This is London you know. They can’t be able to do this coup in the middle of London.”

However, he said he was not surprised by the raid, as he had expected an attempt to seize the building.

“I can guess their steps. They betrayed me, because they are from the military side.”

Unconfirmed reports claimed that Chit Win, deputy ambassador, and the nation's military attaché had taken control of the embassy and locked the ambassador out, with Chit Win appointed the new de facto head of the nation’s mission.

Police descended on the site, although are not thought to have entered the building, while members of the Myanmar diaspora gathered on the street as night began to fall.

People were asked by the police to respect the coronavirus regulations and avoid gathering in groups larger than six.

Some police officers said they had warned members of the public that it was not an authorised protest and that they were breaching the guidelines by being there.

Thiha Soe, who travelled to stand outside the embassy in support of his country, said: “They’re the one who are hijacking our embassy it belongs to us not to the military. It is a coup.”

He added: “If they achieve this one they will do the same things to other embassies around the world. This belongs to us, it belongs to the people, the country.”

Police stand outside Embassy of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar in London -  Jamie Lorriman
Police stand outside Embassy of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar in London - Jamie Lorriman

Government sources also told The Telegraph that it appeared that allies of the military junta in presiding in Naypyitaw, the Myanmar capital, had seized the building, but stressed that the situation remained clouded in uncertainty.

More than 530 protesters have been killed during a violent crackdown in Myanmar since the armed coup.

The UK and US have led an international drive to slap sanctions on the nation’s military chiefs.

This week Britain widened the net of sanctions to cover Myanmar Economic Corporation, a conglomerate with close links to the junta. United Nations representatives have raised the alarm that a “bloodbath” may be imminent, amid fears that the country could descend into civil war.

Ambassador Kyaw Zwar Minn last month said he spoke out in protest at the growing number of casualties at demonstrations in his nation. He insisted at that time that his was a “middle” ground position and that he had no plans to defect or seek asylum in the UK.

The FCDO was contacted for comment.

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