June 18 – Japanese authorities are considering an asylum request from a Myanmar squad player who has refused to return home following a World Cup qualifier between the teams last month.
Pyae Lyan Aung, a substitute goalkeeper, was scheduled to fly home late Wednesday but failed to join the rest of the team.
Aung admitted he was worried about the consequences of his decision in terms of his team mates and family but took the decision to save his life.
He said that by returning to Myanmar, he would “risk his life” after raising a three-finger salute, a symbol of the opposition movement in Myanmar, that was widely shared on social media.
Myanmar has been in turmoil since a February coup ousted Aung San Suu Kyi’s elected government leading to a wave of demonstrations with more than 800 people killed and thousands wounded, according to rights groups.
“After confirming his wishes, we will proceed with procedures to seek refugee status either in Osaka or in Tokyo,” Aung’s lawyer ShogoWatanabe told reporters
“It’s obvious (that he is a political refugee) after he made the three-finger salute … I hope his refugee status will be recognised as soon as possible.”
Japan’s Chief Cabinet Secretary Katsunobu Kato said the country will respond “appropriately” to his case
“The situation in Myanmar remains uncertain and we understand many Myanmar residents in Japan have fear of returning home,” he said.
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