Former United Kingdom Ambassador to Myanmar, Vicky Bowman, was reportedly arrested on the night of August 24^th, 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.