Among others, Myanmar frees Australian economist, former UK envoy

Robert Besser
20 Nov 2022, 14:57 GMT+10

Myanmar's ruling military freed nearly 6,000 prisoners in a mass amnesty this week, including an Australian economist and a former UK envoy
Australia said Australian economic adviser to deposed leader Aung San Suu Kyi, economist Sean Turnell, was among those released
A diplomatic source confirmed that former British envoy Vicky Bowman had also left Myanmar

YANGON, Myanmar: Myanmar's ruling military freed nearly 6,000 prisoners in a mass amnesty this week, including an Australian economist and a former UK envoy.

Australia said Australian economic adviser to deposed leader Aung San Suu Kyi, economist Sean Turnell, was among those released and has arrived in neighboring Thailand, while a diplomatic source confirmed that former British envoy Vicky Bowman had also left Myanmar.

Meanwhile, Myanmar's state-run MRTV showed footage of the pair, as well as Japan's Toru Kubota, a filmmaker, signing exit documents with officials. The United States said its citizen, Kyaw Htay Oo, was also released.

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese thanked the leaders of Thailand and Cambodia for pressuring the military to free Turnell, who was found guilty of a state secrets violation and sentenced in September to three years in jail.

"I've just spoken to Sean Turnell, who has been released from 650 days of unfair, unjust imprisonment in Myanmar," Albanese told reporters in Bangkok, where he is attending the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit.

State-controlled media said the amnesty included 5,774 prisoners and foreigners, who were released "for the relationship with other countries and also for humanitarian purposes."

Speaking in Bangkok, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said the release was "one bright spot in what is otherwise an incredibly dark time."

"Whether this signals anything more broadly about the intentions of the regime, I can't tell you - too soon to say."

Watch latest videos

News RELEASES

Publish news of your business, community or sports group, personnel appointments, major event and more by submitting a news release to Brisbane Star.

More Information

25 ℃

Light Rain Shower in Brisbane

Australia

Section

Insurance paid $313 billion in 2022 for disasters in 2022, says Aon

LONDON, England: Insurance broker Aon has estimated that natural disasters caused global economic losses worth $313 billion in 2022.It added ...

Murali Vijay announces retirement from all forms of international cricket

New Delhi [India], January 30 (ANI): Former India opener Murali Vijay announced his retirement from all formats of international cricket ...

Once in a lifetime opportunity for us to play in front of so much people, Australian hockey skipper Eddie Ockenden

Bhubaneswar (Odisha) [India], January 30 (ANI): The FIH Odisha Men's Hockey World Cup 2023 Bhubaneswar - Rourkela has come to ...

To chase 340 like that gives us confidence, says South Africa captain Bavuma after 5-wicket win over England in 2nd ODI

Bloemfontein [South Africa], January 30 (ANI): Following his side's five-wicket win over England in the second ODI, South Africa skipper ...

We are world champions: Germany captain Grambusch expresses happiness after winning Hockey World Cup

Bhubaneswar (Odisha) [India], January 30 (ANI): Following his side's FIH Men's Hockey World Cup win, Germany skipper Mats Grambusch took ...

Indian High Commissioner to Australia discusses Indian community's concerns over recent temple vandalisations

Melbourne [Australia], January 30 (ANI): Indian High Commissioner to Australia Manpreet Vohra on Sunday paid his respects at the BAPS ...

International

Section

Movie Review

The World's Most Beautiful Swindlers (Les plus belles escroqueries du monde)

World's Most Beautiful Swindlers