Myanmar court jails Suu Kyi, economist for 3 years
STORY: Myanmar’s deposed leader and Nobel laureate Aung San Suu Kyi, and her economic adviser Sean Turnell, were each given three-year jail terms on Thursday for allegedly violating an official secrets act.
That’s according to a source, speaking to Reuters anonymously.
The pair, apparently, won’t be subject to hard labour.
Thursday's sentencing took place in a closed court in the capital, Naypyitaw.
Suu Kyi and Turnell – an Australian national - had pleaded not guilty to breaching the colonial-era act.
In military-controlled Myanmar, it’s an offence punishable by up to 14 years in prison.
The defendants' exact offence under the official secrets act remains unclear.
Though a source previously said Turnell's offence "relates to an allegation that he had government documents".
Myanmar saw large protests after the junta overthrew Suu Kyi’s democratically elected government in a coup last year.
A veteran opponent of military rule, she faces more than 17 years in jail in separate cases, mostly linked to graft.
A junta spokesperson did not answer calls for a comment on Thursday.
Though the junta insists courts in Myanmar are independent and those arrested are receiving due process.
