Former Myanmar American Chamber of Commerce board member detained in Spain
Munimul Islam was detained after a Red Notice as AmCham Myanmar accused him of misusing about $300,000 in lobbying funds, while he denied wrongdoing.
- On Tuesday, Spanish authorities detained Munimul Islam at Barcelona's international airport on an Interpol Red Notice requested by Myanmar officials alleging misappropriation of funds.
- AmCham Myanmar alleges Islam, Adam Castillo, and Khaung Danny Kyaw misused approximately $300,000 intended for lobbying efforts by Mercury Public Affairs in a monthslong dispute.
- Contradicting AmCham's claim the board never approved the contract, documents and a signed resolution suggest the initiative was authorized; Mercury confirmed organizing meetings in Washington with Castillo.
- Islam remains in custody in Spain, where attorney Cristián Carci stated he is appealing the detention. Islam maintains the charges are "fabricated."
- Extradition to Myanmar appears unlikely under European Union regulations, which deny requests if individuals face torture risks the United Nations has described as "systematic" since President Min Aung Hlaing's 2021 military seizure.
13 Articles
13 Articles
Los Angeles Times
A former member of the board of directors of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce in Myanmar was arrested in Spain on charges of financial irregularities that he and others maintain were invented by the current board.
Associated Press News
Former Myanmar American Chamber of Commerce board member detained in Spain
A former Myanmar American Chamber of Commerce board member has been detained in Spain over alleged financial impropriety in a case he and others say was fabricated.
An American’s 97 Days in Myanmar: Inside the AMCHAM Dispute
PUBLISHER’S NOTE AND METHODOLOGY STATEMENT This report is based on public court records, official government communications, corporate records, chamber minutes, correspondence, federal disclosures and other documents reviewed by the publication. It distinguishes between facts documented in contemporaneous records, statements and allegations made by participants in the dispute, and matters that could not be independently established. […]
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