Myanmar coup extends to London embassy

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Police stand guard outside the Myanmar Embassy in London on Wednesday. Associated Press/Photo by Alastair Grant

Myanmar’s ambassador to London could not enter the embassy on Wednesday after a military attaché seized control of the building. Ambassador Kyaw Zwar Minn said the delegates claimed they received instructions from the ruling junta in Myanmar, also known as Burma. Meanwhile, demonstrators gathered outside the embassy to oppose the Feb. 1 military coup.

Why the takeover? Zwar Minn, who has served in his role since 2013, spoke out against the coup and called for the release of detained leader Aung San Suu Kyi. He met last month with the United Kingdom’s Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab to discuss the ongoing crisis. The Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (AAPP) on Wednesday said the military killed nearly 600 people and detained more than 2,800 others since the anti-coup demonstrations began.

Dig deeper: Read Angela Lu Fulton’s report on the growing revolt in Myanmar

Onize Ohikere

Onize is WORLD’s Africa reporter and deputy global desk chief. She is a World Journalism Institute graduate and earned a journalism degree from Minnesota State University–Moorhead. Onize resides in Abuja, Nigeria.

@onize_ohiks