Detained Australian economist appears in Myanmar court

BANGKOK — An Australian economist who was arrested erstwhile Myanmar’s subject seized powerfulness successful February made an quality Thursday successful a tribunal successful the superior Naypyitaw, wherever helium volition beryllium tried for usurpation of the authoritative secrets law, his lawyer said.

Sean Turnell had been serving arsenic an advisor to the country’s leader, Aung San Suu Kyi, who was besides arrested erstwhile her elected authorities was ousted by the army. Suu Kyi and 3 of her erstwhile Cabinet ministers person besides been charged nether the law.

Violating the authoritative secrets instrumentality carries a maximum punishment of 14 years successful prison. The colonial-era statute criminalizes the possession, collection, recording, publishing, oregon sharing of authorities accusation that is “directly oregon indirectly, utile to an enemy.”

The nonstop details of Turnell’s alleged discourtesy and those of the others charged person not been made public, though Myanmar authorities television, citing authorities statements, has said the Australian world had entree to “secret authorities fiscal information” and had tried to fly the country.

Ye Lin Aung, 1 of Turnell’s lawyers, said helium is besides being prosecuted nether the migration instrumentality and that helium is being held astatine a situation successful Naypyitaw.

All the defendants but for Suu Kyi were contiguous Thursday successful the Dekkhina District Court successful Naypyitaw. Suu Kyi appeared connected a video link. They had been charged successful Yangon successful March, but the lawsuit was moved past week to the capital.

Turnell and the others appeared haggard, said Khin Maung Zaw, 1 of Suu Kyi’s lawyers. Turnell’s lawyer Ye Lin Aung said helium appeared to beryllium successful bully wellness arsenic acold arsenic helium could tell, and that the defendants were each masked and not allowed to consult straight with their lawyers.

The lawyers applied to the tribunal for support to conscionable with their clients, and were told to taxable applications, said Khin Maung Zaw. The tribunal scheduled hearings successful the lawsuit to beryllium held each Thursday.

Suu Kyi is presently being tried successful Naypyitaw connected 5 different charges. The cases against her, lodged astatine the behest of the military-installed government, are wide seen arsenic an effort to discredit Suu Kyi and forestall her from returning to politics.