Myanmar’s military authorities brought forward the original court hearing and convicted Vicky Bowman and her husband Htein Lin of breaching immigration laws. In July, the British chargé d'affaires was expelled. General Min Aung Hlaing today starts a visit to Russia.
Yangon (AsiaNews/Agencies) – The court hearing involving former British ambassador to Myanmar Vicky Bowman and her husband, Htein Lin, which was set to take place tomorrow, was instead held on Saturday. Both were convicted and given a one-year prison sentence.
The two were arrested on 24 August for violating immigration laws. Bowman was charged for “staying in a family home in Kalaw Township, Shan State, rather than living at the Yangon address where she has originally registered with the authorities” while her husband failed to report his wife’s stay in Shan State.
This comes as the United Kingdom imposed new sanctions against three companies linked to Myanmar’s military, including Sky One Construction Company, headed by Aung Pyae Sone, son of the regime's top leader, General Min Aung Hlaing.
In July, Myanmar expelled the head of the British embassy in Myanmar, Pete Vowles, after London downgraded his position from that of ambassador to chargé d'affaires in an attempt to delegitimise the military junta that seized power on 1 February 2021.
Ms Bowman was ambassador to Myanmar from 2002 to 2006 and returned in 2013 to head the Myanmar Centre for Responsible Business, an organisation that encourages responsible business practices.
Her husband, Htein Lin, is an artist and a former political prisoner held under the previous military dictatorship for his membership in an armed resistance group.
With diplomatic ties with Western countries cut and its membership in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations on hold, Myanmar has turned to developing ever closer ties with Russia, already the country’s main arms supplier.
Today General Min Aung Hlaing arrived in Moscow, where, according to Myanmar state media, he will attend an economic summit, as well as visit monuments, universities, and factories, while other Myanmar officials will meet with counterparts to “cement friendly cooperation”.
As noted previously, Myanmar plans to import Russian oil to ease its supply problems, while Russia seeks new trade outlets following Western sanctions imposed after the invasion of Ukraine.