Myanmar: Jailed Australian Testifies In Closed-Door Trial

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Facts

  • On Thurs., Sean Turnell, an Australian economist and adviser to Myanmar's ousted leader Aung San Suu Kyi reportedly testified in a military court on charges of violating the country's official secrets act. He reportedly pleaded not guilty.
  • Further details of the case aren't available as his lawyers have been barred from discussing the case. He's being held in Naypiytaw's main prison alongside Suu Kyi and three other former cabinet members who are similarly being charged.
  • Trials involving Suu Kyi are being held in secrecy, closed to the media and to the public. Proceedings have been adjourned until next week when the former leader of Myanmar is set to testify.
  • Turnell has been detained since Feb. 6 last year - five days after the military takeover. If convicted, he could face up to 14 years in prison.
  • Though Australia hasn't sanctioned Myanmar like other Western governments after Suu Kyi's ousting, Foreign Minister Penny Wong stated that the move has been under 'active consideration' and that Turnell remains their 'first priority.'

Sources: Al Jazeera, Watoday, Guardian, Reuters, and Bangkokpost.

Narratives

  • Establishment-critical narrative, as provided by Bangkok Post. Turnell is one of many who have been detained not by an objective rule of law but by a clear political motivation to repress the opposition since the Myanmar coup. Although the judiciary is said to be independent, corruption is a deep-rooted problem and everyone within the justice system has a military background.
  • Pro-establishment narrative, as provided by Global New Light of Myanmar. Turnell has been prosecuted in accordance with Myanmar's rule of law. He attempted to run away from the country carrying secret economic data; this trial has nothing to do with his nationality or his political affiliations, but with his actions as an official.
  • Narrative C, as provided by The Diplomat. Having issued no new sanctions to Myanmar since the coup, Australia is lagging behind its Western allies. Soft diplomacy has failed to ensure Turnell's release and the country must now use targeted sanctions to provide leverage and act against the countless violations of human rights.