Former Australian Adviser to Suu Kyi Sentenced to Jail in Myanmar
September 29, 2022 By Fakun Gram
(Image Credit Google)
Military officials have sentenced a former adviser to Myanmar's deposed leader Aung San Suu Kyi, an Australian professor, Sean Turnell, to three years in prison.
Moreover, mere days after the military overthrew the elected government in a coup and took Aung San Suu Kyi into custody, the officials detained Turnell in Yangon in February 2021. He and Ms. Suu Kyi were accused of violating the Official Secrets Act, which they both denied. In addition, both received their sentences on Thursday in trials criticized by rights groups.
Notably, their trials happened in a closed military courtroom. Tim O'Connor, Impact Director for Amnesty International Australia, stated, "Sean Turnell was denied a fair trial or adequate access to legal counsel and consular assistance. The proceedings have been an outright sham [and] is the latest in a string of politically motivated cases."
On the other hand, Ms. Suu Kyi received a second three-year prison term for breaking the same law. With other charges still pending, she already faces a sentence of more than two decades in prison on more than a dozen counts levied by the military government. Additionally, she may face nearly 200 years behind bars if found guilty of all charges.
On another note, the former Australian adviser vehemently refuted the charges of violating the nation's state secrets act (which possesses a maximum sentence of 14 years in jail) at his trial in August.
What's More
Before the coup, the Australian economist, based in Myanmar since 2017, served as an advisor to Ms. Suu Kyi's democratic government.
Furthermore, the world saw significant worldwide pressure and foreign campaigning for Turnell's release during the previous year. In addition, Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen appealed for his release during a meeting with Myanmar's military ruler General Min Aung Hlaing, earlier this year. Besides that, the Australian government had repeatedly called on the junta to free him.
However, the court also found Mr. Turnell guilty of violating immigration law on Thursday and gave him a three-year sentence that he will serve concurrently.
By Fakun Gram
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