Myanmar Diplomat Warned Over Facebook Post on Detained Leaders

Myanmar’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs summoned Mathias Licharz, the head of mission at the German embassy in the country, on Tuesday. The meeting was called in response to a video posted on Facebook in which Licharz urged authorities to unconditionally release ousted politicians, specifically naming former leader Aung San Suu Kyi and former figurehead president Win Myint.

In a statement released on Tuesday, the ministry stated that Licharz appeared to fuel opposition against the host country and its government. Officials claimed his actions were inciting internal unrest. During the meeting, Licharz was warned against the video and handed an aide-memoire by Deputy Foreign Minister Ko Ko Kyaw.

The Deputy Minister strongly warned against any recurrence of such conduct. The ministry informed the German diplomat that any similar actions in the future would be treated with utmost seriousness and that appropriate measures would be taken. The statement added that if Licharz chose to recognize Win Myint as the president and wished to discontinue his service in Myanmar, the ministry would have no objection.

Licharz originally posted the video on Sunday. In the clip, he stood outside the former Yangon residence of Win Myint. Win Myint served as the figurehead president during the government that was removed in a 2021 coup. The video was timed to mark Win Myint’s 75th birthday.

In his message, the German diplomat noted that the United Nations still regards Win Myint as the legitimate president of Myanmar. He called for the unconditional release of all those arbitrarily detained, including Win Myint and Aung San Suu Kyi. He used the term Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, which is an affectionate term used by her supporters.

Win Myint was jailed following the military coup in February 2021, an event that ended Myanmar’s decade-long democratic experiment. Since the coup, pro-democracy rebels have risen up, and long-simmering ethnic minority rebellions challenging central rule have intensified. Although authorities announced in April that Win Myint had been pardoned of his post-coup convictions, supporters and analysts argue the charges were fabricated to oust the government.

Despite the reported pardon, Licharz stated in his video that his efforts to meet Win Myint had been unfruitful. He concluded that Win Myint is not a free man, noting that he is not allowed to meet with whom he likes or communicate independently. Licharz used the male honorific U Win Myint in his remarks.

The military leadership behind the coup organized elections this year, installing a nominally civilian government. However, many analysts view this new government as a fig leaf for ongoing military rule. Germany’s embassy in Myanmar did not immediately comment on the summons.

Aung San Suu Kyi remains detained but was moved to house arrest in the capital, Naypyidaw, earlier this year. Authorities say access to the 81-year-old Nobel Peace Prize laureate remains tightly controlled.