Kyaw Zwar Minn, the Myanmar's ambassador in London stands outside the Myanmar Embassy whilst a statement is read on his behalf in London, Thursday, April 8, 2021. Newspaper reports say the embassy was taken over by members of the country's new military regime Wednesday evening. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)
The Associated Press
LONDON (AP) - Myanmar's ambassador to the United Kingdom, who has criticized the military coup in his country, says he has been locked out of his London office by colleagues.
Kyaw Zwar Minn said he was barred from entering the embassy on Wednesday evening by diplomats loyal to the military regime.
Last month, the ambassador called for the release of Myanmar's democratic leader, Aung San Suu Kyi, who was detained when the military seized power on Feb. 1.
Since the coup, Myanmar security forces have killed at least 581 protesters and bystanders in their crackdown on opposition.
A statement read on Kyaw Zwar Minn's behalf outside the embassy on Thursday said the embassy had been 'œseized by the military attache yesterday evening. The ambassador has been locked out since then.'ť
'œThere has been a coup in Myanmar in February and now the same situation in central London,'ť the statement said. 'œThis is unacceptable and disrespectful not only to the people of Myanmar but it is also clearly disrespectful to all of democratic society in the U.K."
British Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab condemned the 'œbullying actions of the Myanmar military regime,'ť and praised the ambassador's 'œcourage.'ť
But it was unclear what, if anything, the U.K. could do about the move. The British government said it had been notified by Myanmar authorities that Kyaw Zwar Minn had been removed from his post.
Kyaw Zwar Minn, the Myanmar's ambassador in London stands outside the Myanmar Embassy whilst a statement is read on his behalf in London, Thursday, April 8, 2021. Myanmar's ambassador to the UK, Kyaw Zwar Minn said on Thursday his country's military has occupied the London embassy and threatened its staff with "severe punishment" if they do not work with the Junta. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)
The Associated Press
Police officers patrol outside the Myanmar Embassy in London, Wednesday, April 7, 2021. Newspaper reports say the embassy was taken over by members of the country's new military regime Wednesday evening. (AP Photo/Alberto Pezzali)
The Associated Press
Police officers patrol outside the Myanmar Embassy in London, Wednesday, April 7, 2021. Newspaper reports say the embassy was taken over by members of the country's new military regime Wednesday evening. (AP Photo/Alberto Pezzali)
The Associated Press
Kyaw Zwar Minn, center, the Myanmar ambassador, talks with his staff outside the Myanmar Embassy in London, Wednesday, April 7, 2021. Newspaper reports say the embassy was taken over by members of the country's new military regime Wednesday evening. (AP Photo/Alberto Pezzali)
The Associated Press
Police officers patrol outside the Myanmar Embassy in London, Wednesday, April 7, 2021. Newspaper reports say the embassy was taken over by members of the country's new military regime Wednesday evening. (AP Photo/Alberto Pezzali)
The Associated Press
Kyaw Zwar Minn, the Myanmar ambassador, walks outside the Myanmar Embassy in London, Wednesday, April 7, 2021. Newspaper reports say the embassy was taken over by members of the country's new military regime Wednesday evening. (AP Photo/Alberto Pezzali)
The Associated Press
Myanmar's ambassador to the UK, Kyaw Zwar Minn is surrounded by media as he arrives outside the Myanmar Embassy in London, Thursday, April 8, 2021. Myanmar's ambassador to the UK, Kyaw Zwar Minn said on Thursday his country's military has occupied the London embassy and threatened its staff with "severe punishment" if they do not work with the Junta. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)
The Associated Press
Myanmar's ambassador to the UK, Kyaw Zwar Minn is surrounded by media as he arrives outside the Myanmar Embassy in London, Thursday, April 8, 2021. Myanmar's ambassador to the UK, Kyaw Zwar Minn said on Thursday his country's military has occupied the London embassy and threatened its staff with "severe punishment" if they do not work with the Junta. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)
The Associated Press
Police officers stand outside the Myanmar Embassy in London, Thursday, April 8, 2021. Newspaper reports say the embassy was taken over by members of the country's new military regime Wednesday evening. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)
The Associated Press
Police officers stand outside the Myanmar Embassy in London, Thursday, April 8, 2021. Myanmar's ambassador to the UK, Kyaw Zwar Minn said on Thursday his country's military has occupied the London embassy and threatened its staff with "severe punishment" if they do not work with the Junta. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)
The Associated Press
Police officers stand outside the Myanmar Embassy in London, Thursday, April 8, 2021. Newspaper reports say the embassy was taken over by members of the country's new military regime Wednesday evening. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)
The Associated Press