Myanmar’s Foreign Ministry has summoned Germany’s head of mission over a Facebook video calling for the unconditional release of detained political leaders, including Aung San Suu Kyi, Al Jazeera reported Tuesday.

The ministry said Mathias Licharz met Deputy Foreign Minister Ko Ko Kyaw and received a formal diplomatic note. In a statement, it accused the diplomat of fuelling opposition to the government and inciting unrest, warning that similar conduct could prompt further action.

Licharz posted the video Sunday outside the former Yangon residence of Win Myint, the president ousted alongside Suu Kyi’s government in the February 2021 military coup. Marking Win Myint’s 75th birthday, Licharz said the United Nations still regarded him as Myanmar’s legitimate president.

He called on authorities to “unconditionally release all those who are arbitrarily detained, including Win Myint and Daw Aung San Suu Kyi”.

Authorities announced in April that Win Myint had been pardoned for his post-coup convictions. But Licharz said his attempts to meet the former president had been unsuccessful and argued that Win Myint was not free to meet people or communicate independently.

Germany’s embassy in Myanmar did not immediately comment, Al Jazeera reported.

The dispute comes after the military leadership that seized power in 2021 organised elections and installed a nominally civilian government this year. Analysts cited by Al Jazeera regard that administration as a cover for continued military rule.

Suu Kyi remains detained. Authorities say she was moved to house arrest in the capital, Naypyidaw, this year, with access to the 81-year-old Nobel Peace Prize laureate still tightly controlled.

Sources