Myanmar’s military authorities have detained the United Kingdom’s former ambassador to the country, and her husband, over alleged violations of immigration law.
Vicky Bowman, who currently runs the Myanmar Centre for Responsible Business (MCRB), and her husband, Htein Lin, a Burmese artist and former political prisoner, were reportedly detained on Wednesday in Yangon, sources told the Reuters and AFP news agencies.Myanmar’s military government, which seized power in February 2021, issued a statement on Thursday confirming that Bowman is under investigation for failing to declare she was living at an address different from the one listed on her foreigner’s registration certificate.
Htein Lin is under investigation for helping his wife reside at an address different to their registered home in the commercial hub Yangon, the statement added.
Bowman, 56, served as ambassador to Myanmar from 2002 to 2006 and has more than 30 years of experience in the country.
Htein Lin, 55, is one of Myanmar’s most famous artists and a veteran activist who spent more than six years – between 1998 and 2004 – in prison for his opposition to an earlier military rule.
Myanmar artist Htein Lin poses in his studio in Yangon in 2015 [File: Romeo Gacad/AFP]
Myanmar artist Htein Lin poses in his studio in Yangon in 2015 [File: Romeo Gacad/AFP]
A spokesperson for the UK’s embassy in the country said they were “concerned by the arrest of a British woman in Myanmar”, without mentioning Bowman by name.
“We are in contact with the local authorities and are providing consular assistance,” the spokesperson said.