An Australian economist close to ex-leader Aung San Suu Kyi, accused by the junta of wanting to leave Burma in possession of sensitive information, pleaded not guilty, according to a source familiar with the matter on Friday August 12.
Sean Turnell was arrested in the days following the February 1 military putsch against Aung San Suu Kyi, winner of the Nobel Peace Prize in 1991, for whom he had long been an adviser.
He was charged with violating Burma's Official Secrets Act.
Tried by a junta court to which journalists do not have access, he faces a maximum sentence of 14 years in prison if convicted.
Repression of pro-democracy demonstrations
Sean Turnell “
testified in court yesterday (…) He pleaded not guilty
,” said the source, who added that the economist was in good health.
Since coming to power, Burma's military government has detained thousands of pro-democracy protesters.
The economics professor was conducting a telephone interview with the BBC when he was arrested.
Read alsoBurma: growing evidence of crimes against humanity, according to the UN
The Australian government is not among the countries that have sanctioned Burma but Foreign Secretary Penny Wong said such a measure was "
actively considered
".
“
Professor Turnell remains our top priority
,” she told AFP last week in Phnom Penh.