Citizens Detained In Myanmar Plead Not Guilty, Australia Wants Transparency

Sean Turnell. (Facebook/Thabyay Education Foundation)

JAKARTA - The economist and former adviser to ousted Myanmar leader Aung San Suu Kyi, Sean Turnell, has pleaded not guilty in a closed-door trial in Myanmar to charges of violating the state secrets law.

Turnell has been detained in Myanmar since February 6 last year, days after the military regime toppled the elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi in a coup. Turnell faces up to 14 years in prison if convicted.

Australian media ABC, citing a legal official as saying Turnell had testified in court for the first time since his arrest, gave no further details.

Separately, Australian Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Richard Marles said he was "concerned about the level of access available to those providing consular services to Turnell."

"We hope there is transparency, that there is an application of justice and an application of procedural justice. And we are concerned about all of that in its application to Professor Turnell," Marles told reporters Friday.

While quoting the Daily Telegraph, Marles said the Australian Government would continue to try to return Turnell to his family safely.

"Our concern in terms of engagement with Myanmar is, to ensure the safe return of Professor Turnell to this country," he told reporters.

An attorney for Turnell did not answer a phone call from Reuters seeking comment. A spokesman for the Myanmar military government could not immediately be reached for comment.