Detained Australian economic adviser being investigated on two charges: SAC spokesperson

Detained Australian economic adviser being investigated on two charges: SAC spokesperson
Published 25 March 2021

Sean Turnell, the detained Australian economic adviser to State Counselor Aung San Suu Kyi, is being investigated under the official secrets and immigration acts, said a spokesperson of the State Administration Council (SAC). 

Deputy Information Minister Brigadier General Zaw Min Tun, also SAC’s spokesperson, was answering the question of a reporter during the SAC’s press conference at the ministry of information in Nay Pyi Taw on March 23. The reporter asked him if Sean Turnell is likely to act as a witness for the previous government’s alleged corruption cases. 

“What we are investigating for Australian Sean Turnell is that he is being interrogated under Section 13 (1) of the Myanmar Immigration Act and Section 3/1(d) of the Official Secrets Act. He is being investigated on these two charges,” said Brig-Gen Zaw Min Tun. 

He said Sean Turnell had been allowed to phone contacts two times with his family members and embassy officials. He will be allowed to have more contacts, he added.  

When asked who would be the next to face charges after Sean Turnell’s testimony, the SAC spokesperson said he could not say about this. 

“I can’t say. We are questioning him on these two charges. I don’t know any other investigations,” he said.