Myanmar Summons German Envoy Over Video Calling for Release of Detained Politicians

Myanmar's Ministry of Foreign Affairs summoned the acting head of the German embassy on 10 November 2026 over a video that called for the release of detained politicians, including Aung San Suu Kyi, according to Al Jazeera.

The video was published on the German Embassy's social media page on 8 November 2026. In it, Mathias Licharz stands outside the former Yangon residence of Win Myint, marking Win Myint's 75th birthday. Win Myint was jailed in the February 2021 military coup that removed Aung San Suu Kyi's elected government.

In the video, Licharz said the United Nations still regards Win Myint as the legitimate president of Myanmar. He called on the authorities to unconditionally release everyone arbitrarily detained, including Win Myint and Aung San Suu Kyi. He also said his efforts to meet Win Myint had been unfruitful and concluded that Win Myint is not a free man.

Myanmar's authorities said in April 2026 that Win Myint had been pardoned of his post-coup convictions.

At the ministry in Naypyidaw, Deputy Foreign Minister Ko Ko Kyaw met Licharz, warned him against the video and handed him an aide-memoire, a written diplomatic note. The ministry said the video appeared to fuel opposition to the host country and its government, thereby inciting internal unrest.

Ko Ko Kyaw warned against any repeat of such conduct. He said similar behaviour would be treated with the utmost seriousness, with appropriate action to follow.