An Australian tutorial who’s being tried with ousted Myanmar chief Aung San Suu Kyi on fees of violating the nation’s official secrets and techniques legislation has testified in courtroom for the primary time, a authorized official mentioned.
Sean Turnell, an economist at Sydney’s Macquarie College, had served as an adviser to Suu Kyi, who was arrested when her elected authorities was ousted by the military on February 1 final yr.
He was arrested 5 days later and is now being held in the primary jail in Naypyitaw, the capital, as is Suu Kyi. Three of Suu Kyi’s former cupboard members are being tried with them in a particular courtroom on the jail.
A authorized official acquainted with Thursday’s proceedings mentioned Turnell denied the allegations in opposition to him and pleaded not responsible.
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Additional particulars of his testimony weren’t accessible as a result of his legal professionals have been barred from speaking concerning the case. The entire trials involving Suu Kyi have been held underneath comparable restrictions, with the proceedings closed to the media and the general public.
The authorized official, who spoke on situation of anonymity as a result of he’s not authorised to launch data, mentioned Turnell and his co-defendants gave the impression to be in good well being.
The precise particulars of the alleged offence within the case haven’t been made public, although Myanmar state tv, citing authorities statements, mentioned final yr that Turnell had entry to “secret state monetary data” and had tried to flee the nation.
Turnell can also be being prosecuted underneath the immigration legislation, which carries a punishment of six months to 5 years’ imprisonment. Prosecutions underneath the immigration legislation are widespread for foreigners being held for different offences.
The decide adjourned Thursday’s proceedings till subsequent week, when Suu Kyi is to testify.
The case is considered one of many confronted by Suu Kyi and is extensively seen as an effort to discredit her to forestall her return to politics. The fees in opposition to her embody corruption and election fraud. She has already been convicted of a number of minor offences.
Final yr’s army takeover sparked peaceable nationwide road protests that safety forces quashed with deadly drive, triggering armed resistance that some UN consultants have characterised as civil struggle.
