Former leader of Myanmar Aung San Suu Kyi and her former economic adviser, Australian Sean Turnell, were jailed for three years by a military-ruled court for violating a secrets law, Reuters reported, quoting a source.
Both had pleaded not guilty to charges of violating the official secrets act, which carries a maximum sentence of 14 years.
“Three years each, no hard labour,” said the source, who declined to be identified due to the sensitivity of the issue.
Suu Kyi, Turnell, and several members of her economic team are among thousands arrested since the military overthrew her elected government in a coup early last year, including politicians, lawmakers, bureaucrats, students and journalists, according to Reuters report.
Turnell has also been charged with immigration violations, for which he faces up to five years in prison. The court is expected to rule on that case on Thursday, according to a second source and media reports.
Nobel laureate Suu Kyi has already been sentenced to at least 23 years in prison in separate cases, mostly related to corruption charges.
She denies all accusations against her.
Australia called for Turnell’s release.
“The Australian government has consistently rejected the charges against Professor Turnell. (It) rejects today’s court ruling … and calls for his immediate release,” Foreign Minister Penny Wong said in a statement.
Wong said that Australian consular officials tasked with assisting Turnell were denied access to the court.
