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

What happened

DVB English reports that Kyaw Zwar Minn, Myanmar’s former ambassador to the United Kingdom, stood trial in a London court charged with trespassing at the diplomatic residence known as Myanmar House, where he remains despite being dismissed following Myanmar’s military coup in February 2021.

Outside Brief is treating this as a source-led account. Any disputed responsibility, casualty figure, battlefield claim or single-source assertion should be treated as unconfirmed/hearsay unless confirmed by another reliable source or a named official. Minn was locked out of the embassy a few months after the coup and replaced by representatives appointed by Myanmar’s military regime. However, he refused to vacate the ambassador’s residence between May 2021 and November 2024, asserting that the current regime led by Min Aung Hlaing is illegitimate and thus has no authority to demand his eviction.

Prosecutors counter that Myanmar’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs legally terminated Minn’s role and license to reside at the property following the coup. The UK Foreign Office also reportedly informed Minn that he must leave. Prosecutor Louise Oakley stated that his refusal to vacate constitutes diplomatic trespass as his ambassadorial license had been properly revoked.

Known from the source

• Kyaw Zwar Minn was Myanmar’s ambassador to the UK prior to the February 2021 military coup.
• He was locked out of the embassy a few months after the coup and replaced by military-appointed representatives.
• Minn has not left the ambassador’s residence in London and was charged with trespassing from May 2021 to November 2024.
• Prosecutors in the UK court argue his license to reside was lawfully terminated by Myanmar’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs post-coup.
• Minn denies the legitimacy of the military-led government and refuses to leave on those grounds.

What remains unclear

Minn’s defense, presented by lawyer David Perry, argues that because the military authorities in Myanmar lack legitimate power, they could not lawfully revoke his diplomatic residence rights or use the property. Prosecutors maintain that Minn’s view on the regime’s legitimacy does not provide a legal defense and that his residence license was validly terminated.

What remains unclear: Confirm whether the central claim is corroborated; until then treat it as unconfirmed/hearsay. Any official UK court ruling outcomes or further legal developments in Minn’s trespassing trial. Statements from Myanmar’s military regime or Ministry of Foreign Affairs related to this diplomatic dispute. Verification of UK Foreign Office communications ordering Minn to vacate.

Evidence note

This story contains report-led claims. The article keeps those claims attributed and treats them as unconfirmed/hearsay unless independently corroborated.

Original source: DVB English. Open the source.