Myanmar Military Regime Accuses Detained Australian Economics Professor Of Possessing Confidential Information

JAKARTA - The Myanmar military regime claims that the economic adviser of Australian leader Aung San Suu Kyi, Sean Turnell, was arrested for trying to flee Myanmar with classified and important information.

In a statement via state-controlled television station MRTV, Myanmar's military regime said the economics professor, who has been detained for a month, has classified financial information.

The military regime of Myanmar said that shortly after the coup on February 1, the economist from Macquarie University, Australia had tried to flee from Myanmar.

"Attempts to flee the country by the government's former foreign economic adviser, Sean Turnell, were halted in a timely manner and state financial information was withheld," said the statement.

"Union-level ministers are taking legal action," the statement continued.

The allegations by the military regime come a day after the Australian Government suspended its defense cooperation program with Myanmar over concerns over escalating violence and a rising death toll.

Australia has repeatedly called for Turnell's release and no one has known of his whereabouts since he was detained by the military on February 6. Australian media reported that Turnell had the opportunity to speak with his wife, Dr. Ha Vu, an economics lecturer in Sydney, last week. She tells him he is being treated well but he still doesn't know what charges he will face.

Meanwhile, according to The Sydney Morning Herald, the Australian Government was unaware of the claims about Turnell trying to leave the country with classified financial information until it was made public.

"Myanmar has not yet confirmed to Australia about the reasons for Professor Turnell's detention," said a spokesman for the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT).

“Economics professor Sean Turnell has worked as an economic advisor in Myanmar for many years, helping to support Myanmar's economic growth. He did so at the express invitation of the Government of Myanmar and is highly respected for his work. Professor Turnell has been detained on limited consular access for more than 30 days. We continue to view this as arbitrary detention, "he explained.

Meanwhile, Foreign Minister Marise Payne has repeatedly called for the release of Turnell, whose whereabouts have not been known to the public since he was arrested after the Myanmar military coup.

"We do not accept the conditions of his detention and the reasons for his detention," Payne said on Monday.

Myanmar Coup. The VOI editorial team continues to monitor the political situation in one of the ASEAN member countries. Casualties from civilians continue to fall. Readers can follow the news surrounding the Myanmar military coup by tapping on this link.