Australian adviser to Suu Kyi Detained

Sean Turnell, an Australian economic adviser to Myanmar State Counselor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, told Reuters news agency he is being detained, days after the country’s military staged a coup.

“I guess you will soon hear of it, but I am being detained,” he said. “Being charged with something, but not sure what. I am fine and strong, and not guilty of anything,” he said in a message, with a smile emoji. Until three days ago, his Facebook was active, reports The Irrawaddy.

Since December 2017, Turnell has been living in Naypyitaw, where he served as a special economic consultant to Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, who was the de facto national leader until she herself was detained during Monday’s coup. Turnell is one of several foreign consultants who worked for her now-toppled government. Military intelligence units closely monitor their activities.