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https://theconversation.com/a-sham-sentence-after-a-secret-trial-for-aung-san-suu-kyis-australian-economic-adviser-191667>
"Australian Sean Turnell, economic adviser to Myanmar’s democratically elected
leader Aung San Suu Kyi, has been in prison since the military coup of February
2021, awaiting trial for the supposed crime of stealing state secrets.
This week a puppet court sentenced him to three years in prison, alongside Suu
Kyi, who has already been sentenced to 20 years’ jail in other sham court
cases.
Both pled not guilty to the charge of holding confidential secret government
documents. Turnell has said all he had were economic papers needed for his work
as a technical economic adviser to Myanmar’s government.
The trial was held behind closed doors. Australian consular officials attempted
to attend but were denied access. Foreign affairs minister Penny Minister has
issued a statement rejecting the legitimacy of the trial and calling for
Turnell’s release.
The Myanmar regime has agreed to take into account the 20 months Turnell has
already spent in prison. So he is due for release in January 2024.
It is possible, however, that he could be released and deported early. There is
a precedent for this. In November 2011 US journalist Danny Fenster was
sentenced to 11 years with hard labour but released just a day later. Bill
Richardson, a former New Mexico governor and US ambassador to the UN, was
appointed as a special envoy and negotiated his release."
Cheers,
*** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/ Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/ Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/ Manager, Serious Cybernetics
