Munimul Islam, CEO of Misfit Technologies and former AmCham Myanmar board member, was detained in Barcelona after an Interpol Red Notice issued at Myanmar's request. AmCham alleges about $300,000 was misappropriated in a 2024 contract with Mercury Public Affairs; Islam insists his company paid and properly declared the funds. Records and meeting minutes conflict over whether the AmCham board approved the lobbying initiative. Islam is being held in Spain, is appealing the decision and will fight extradition amid concerns about the risk of torture if returned to Myanmar.
Former AmCham Myanmar Board Member Detained in Barcelona Amid Disputed $300,000 Lobbying Case
FILE - Pedestrians walk past entrance of Junction City Tower, where the American Chamber of Commerce in Myanmar has its office, on Tuesday, Sept. 15, 2026, in Yangon, Myanmar. (AP Photo, File)(AP Photo/)
BARCELONA, Spain — Munimul Islam, CEO of Misfit Technologies and a former board member of the American Chamber of Commerce in Myanmar (AmCham Myanmar), was detained at Barcelona's international airport on Tuesday after authorities acted on an Interpol Red Notice requested by Myanmar, his lawyer Cristián Carci said.
Accusations and Defense
AmCham Myanmar has accused Islam, former board president Adam Castillo and former executive director Ye Khaung "Danny" Kyaw of misappropriating roughly $300,000 tied to a 2024 contract with Mercury Public Affairs connected to a lobbying vehicle called the U.S.-Burma Economic Forum. Islam and his supporters say the payment was made directly by Misfit Technologies to Mercury and properly declared under U.S. rules.
FILE - Pedestrians walk past entrance of Insein prison Tuesday, Sept. 15, 2026, in Yangon, Myanmar. (AP Photo, File)(AP Photo/)
Conflicting Records
The chamber's May annual report says the board never approved the agreement, "made no payments, and received no services." Yet minutes posted on AmCham Myanmar's website and a signed board resolution provided by Castillo's supporters indicate the board approved the lobbying initiative, authorized hiring Mercury and designated Misfit Technologies as a sponsor. The Associated Press also confirmed that Mercury organized and attended multiple meetings in Washington.
Related Cases And Political Context
Castillo, a former U.S. Marine, spent three months in Yangon's Insein Prison before being released Sept. 16 and leaving Myanmar after diplomatic pressure. Ye Khaung "Danny" Kyaw was deported after reportedly accepting a plea to a breach-of-trust charge under duress, a source said. Rights groups and U.N. experts say the cases come amid a broader crackdown on dissent since the 2021 military takeover led by Min Aung Hlaing.
FILE - Pedestrians walk past near Pabaedan township court Tuesday, Sept. 15, 2026, in Yangon, Myanmar. (AP Photo, File)(AP Photo/)
Legal Status In Spain
After a hearing in Spain, a judge ordered Islam held because he has no residence in Spain. His attorney said Islam is appealing the detention and will fight any extradition request. European Union rules allow courts to refuse extradition if there is a real risk of torture; U.N. and rights groups have warned that that risk in Myanmar has become systematic since the coup.
Myat Phyu The, AmCham Myanmar's executive director, told the AP the organization had not been notified of Islam's detention and stressed that decisions on charges, detention and guilt are matters for courts and relevant authorities. Myanmar officials did not provide comment for the report.
Reporting contributed by Associated Press reporters in Bangkok and John Leicester in Paris.
Help us improve.
