Another sentence for Aung San Suu Kyi | Current Asia | DW

Australian Sean Turnell, a professor at Macquarie University, at his workplace

A military tribunal in Myanmar has sentenced imprisoned politician Aung San Suu Kyi to another three years in prison. You have violated a law on official secrets. In recent months, the Nobel Peace Prize winner has been sentenced to a total of 20 years in prison for various alleged crimes, including corruption and incitement to riot. Observers speak of show trials.

Suu Kyi was initially under house arrest after the military coup. In June, the 77-year-old was taken to a prison in the capital, Naypyidaw. She faces up to 100 more years in prison if convicted on additional charges.

An Australian also remains in custody

In addition to Suu Kyi, the military judges have also sentenced three former ministers and the Australian economics professor Sean Turnell to three years in prison for divulging state secrets. The Australian government has repeatedly called for Turnell’s release. Numerous professor colleagues have also been committed to him for many months.

Australian Sean Turnell, a professor at Macquarie University, at his workplace

Economist Turnell was Aung San Suu Kyi’s economic adviser and was arrested days after the February 1, 2021 coup

Turnell’s wife Ha Vu wrote on Facebook that the verdict breaks her and the whole family’s heart. Her husband supported Myanmar for 20 years and worked hard for the country’s development. She asked the junta to release her husband and deport him to Australia.

Australian broadcaster ABC reported that representatives from Australia and the media had previously been denied access to the courtroom in the capital, Naypyidaw. Turnell, who has always denied the allegations, has been in Insein prison in the largest city of Yangon (formerly Rangoon), which is notorious for its torture methods.

rb/kle (AFP, dpa, KNA)


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