Australia's Foreign Minister, Penny Wong, has rejected a Myanmar court's ruling that is allowing the continuation of a trial against Australian economist Sean Turnell on charges of violating the country's official secrets law.
Key points:
- The court's ruling applies to Sean Turnell, Aung San Suu Kyi and three other defendants
- Mr Turnell was arrested when Ms Suu Kyi's elected government was ousted by the army in February 2021
- Peaceful, nationwide protests were triggered by the military's takeover, but security forces quashed those with lethal force
The court ruled prosecutors presented sufficient evidence against Mr Turnell, ousted leader Aung San Suu Kyi and three other defendants for the trial to proceed.
Senator Wong released a statement on Friday evening, calling for Mr Turnell's immediate release.
"We will continue to advocate for Professor Turnell's interests and well-being and will not stop until he is safely back with his family," the statement said.
Mr Turnell had served as an adviser to Ms Suu Kyi, who was arrested when her elected government was ousted by the army on February 1, 2021.
The military's takeover triggered peaceful nationwide protests that security forces quashed with lethal force, triggering armed resistance that some UN experts now characterise as civil war.
Mr Turnell was arrested in Yangon, the largest city, a few days after the military seized power.
He is being tried in the capital, Naypyidaw, with Ms Suu Kyi and three former cabinet members charged in the same case.
Violating the country's official secrets law carries a maximum penalty of 14 years in prison.
The colonial-era statute criminalises the possession, collection, recording, publishing or sharing of state information that is "directly, or indirectly, useful to an enemy".
Exact details of Mr Turnell's alleged offence and those of the others have not been made public, although Myanmar state television, citing government statements, has said the Australian academic had access to "secret state financial information" and had tried to flee the country.
Mr Turnell is also being prosecuted under the country's immigration law, which carries a punishment of six months to five years' imprisonment.
Prosecutions under the immigration law are common for foreigners being held for other offences.
Trial enters second phase
A legal official who is familiar with Mr Turnell's case said he and his co-defendants were formally indicted on Thursday, allowing their trial to continue.
He spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorised to release information.
Under Myanmar law, a judge can order an end to a trial after the prosecution has presented its case if it is found to not have merit.
If the judge finds the prosecution case credible, the trial continues into a second phase, where the defence presents its case and a verdict is rendered.
In coming weeks, the defence will present its arguments, including a re-examination of the prosecution's witnesses, to the court.
The legal official said Mr Turnell, who is detained at a prison in Naypyidaw, appeared to be in good health.
Ms Suu Kyi is being tried on several charges, including corruption and election fraud.
The cases against her, lodged at the behest of the military-installed government, are widely seen as an effort to discredit her to prevent her return to politics.
AP
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2022-06-10 10:46:49Z
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