Sean Turnell is an Australian economist and former economic policy advisor to State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi in Myanmar.
[1][2] He is also an honorary professor of economics at Macquarie University, a former staff member of the Reserve Bank of Australia, and the director of research at the Myanmar Development Institute.
[3][4] In 2009, the Nordic Institute of Asian Studies published his book on key periods in the history of Myanmar's financial sector, Fiery Dragons: Banks, Moneylenders and Microfinance in Burma.
In August 2020, while addressing the Australian Institute of International Affairs in Sydney, he discussed the evolving political situation in Myanmar and the role of the military in government in the country: "One of the most memorable queries of the night was whether he believed there was a possibility of the military seizing full control of the government again, which he did not rule out as impossible, although highly undesirable for the country's progress.
"[10]Turnell was detained in Yangon on 6 February 2021, in the aftermath of the 2021 Myanmar coup d'état, while he was working as an advisor to Aung San Suu Kyi.
Australian Foreign Affairs Minister Marise Payne stated that Turnell:[12] "… is a highly regarded adviser and member of the academic community in Australia ... We called in the Myanmar ambassador into the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade to raise our concerns in relation to this, and we will continue to do that and press strongly for Professor Turnell's release.
Commenting on the situation, former Australian ambassador to Myanmar Nicholas Coppel said that, "For Sean Turnell and for other political detainees, the chances of a fair trial are close to zero."
Coppel added, "The big fish is Aung San Suu Kyi and what they will be wanting to show is that she has betrayed secrets to a foreigner.
[23] A spokesperson for the Australian Government stated:[24] "We have registered our serious concerns with the Myanmar ambassador in Canberra, and senior representatives in Naypyidaw.
The Australian Government has made it clear to Myanmar authorities our expectation that we receive timely advice on Professor Turnell's case, including court hearings.
Turnell's lawyer, Ye Lin Aung, said the ruling forbidding a translator was issued at a pre-trial hearing in a special court in Nayptitaw.
Ye Lin Aung said that the prosecution, citing security reasons, had asked that no translator be allowed and that the judge had agreed.
…… Consistent with basic standards of justice and transparency, we expect that Professor Turnell should have unimpeded access to his lawyers, and that Australian officials be able to observe his court proceedings.
In May 2022, an Australian general election was held which resulted in the formation of a Labor Government led by Anthony Albanese as prime minister.
According to reports from an unidentified legal official, on 5 June a court in Myanmar sitting in Naypyidaw ruled that the trial against Turnell would continue because in the view of the court, prosecutors had presented sufficient evidence against both Aung San Suu Kyi and other defendants (including Turnell) to justify continuation of the trial on charges of violating the official secrets act.
It was reported that in the coming weeks (ie, apparently during June and July 2022), the court would hear defence arguments including a re-examination of the prosecution's witnesses.
[33][34] According to local media reports, Aung San Suu Kyi had been on trial on multiple charges and, following the sentence imposed by the special court, now faced a total of 23 years in prison.
The court conducted trials of Suu Kyi along with senior officials of her earlier deposed administration and Turnell behind closed doors and had not detailed the defendants' exact offences under the Secrets Act.
The Australian Foreign Minister, Senator Wong, responded to the Court's decision by expressing her deep concern and stated:[35] "...Australia rejects the ruling in Myanmar against Professor Turnell and we continue to call for his immediate release.
I make the point that Professor Turnell has spent years of his life working to improve the economic conditions for the people of Myanmar.
On 17 August, the UN Special Envoy for Myanmar, Noeleen Hayzer, requested Turnell's release when she met with State Administration Chairman, General Min Aung Hlaing, in Naypyidaw.