Thread: Ex-UK Ambassador arrested for alleged breach of Myanmar’s immigration law

Former United Kingdom Ambassador to Myanmar, Vicky Bowman, was reportedly arrested on the night of August 24th, when security forces went to her residence in Yangon, claiming that she needed to be questioned on suspicion of breaches of the immigration act, according to sources close to her family.


BBC Myanmar reported that the UK embassy confirmed her arrest and that her husband, Htein Lin, had gone with her.


Currently, their whereabouts and the official status of the charges remain unknown.


Netizens have speculated that this was in retaliation for the UK’s imposition of sanctions on companies owned by the son and daughter of Senior General Min Aung Hlaing.


The Star Sapphire Group of Companies, known to be affiliated with Min Aung Hlaing’s daughter Khin Thiri Thet Mon, Sky One Construction, owned by Min Aung Hlaing’s son Aung Pyae Sone Paing and the International Gateways Group of Companies Limited, known to have ties with the military, were sanctioned.


Moreover, the UK had also announced that Britain will be joining Gambia in the genocide case against Myanmar at the International Court of Justice.

Ex-UK Ambassador arrested for alleged breach of Myanmar's immigration law | Thai PBS World : The latest Thai news in English, News Headlines, World News and News Broadcasts in both Thai and English. We bring Thailand to the world

Originally Posted by misskit

companies owned by the son and daughter of Senior General Min Aung Hlaing.

Never!!!!!! Kleptocracy??? Myanmar????

Myanmar's military authorities have arrested the UK's former ambassador to Myanmar, Vicky Bowman, and her husband.

She has been accused of breaking visa rules, and her husband with helping her - charges that could result in up to five years in jail.

Ms Bowman served as ambassador in Myanmar from 2002-2006. She is married to Htein Lin, a Burmese artist and former political prisoner.

She runs the Myanmar Centre for Responsible Business, based in Yangon.

The MCRB describes itself as "an initiative to encourage responsible business activities throughout Myanmar". It co-operates with the Institute for Human Rights and Business (IHRB) - whose aim is "to make respect for human rights part of everyday business".

The pair have been sent to Insein prison in the city, with a trial scheduled for 6 September.

A statement from the military said Ms Bowman had broken the law by staying at an address in a town other than Yangon - where she was registered - and failing to notify the authorities. Her husband had been arrested because he had facilitated the move.


Vicky Bowman: UK ex-ambassador to Myanmar arrested - BBC News

Damn, that’s serious law breaking!

Originally Posted by russellsimpson

double post.

Nope. It is not: are you seeing double?

A post that didn't even get over russ's dismally low bar.

Both got a year in jail.

Vicky Bowman: UK former ambassador jailed in Myanmar - BBC News


While they were doing that, they tacked three years onto Suu Kyi's sentence as well.

Good, can we use it as an excuse to take the general's the fuck out?

The General’s what?

Vicky Bowman: Former UK ambassador among prisoners to be freed in Myanmar
17 November 2022




Myanmar's military is to release 6,000 prisoners including a former UK ambassador, a Japanese filmmaker and an Australian adviser to the country's ousted civilian leader.

Ex-diplomat Vicky Bowman and Toru Kubota were jailed earlier this year while Sean Turnell was detained shortly after the 2021 coup.

The military junta said the pardons were to mark Myanmar National Day.