PM apologises for ‘unintentional mistake’ over release of Australian professor from Myanmar custody
Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen has stated that he would like to correct information related to the release of Australian professor Sean Turnell from detention in Myanmar.
In a message on social media yesterday night, the PM stated that “Obviously, at this time, the Australian has not been released yet and Samdech apologizes for this unintentional mistake.’
The PM added that “This morning I mentioned the release of the Australian, which I have requested from the Myanmar military leader. Apparently, the Australian has not yet been released. This confusion is due to the fact that I received the wrong information, which I apologize for this unintentional mistake.”
In addition, Cambodia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MFAIC) has made a clarification over the announcement on the release of Prof. Sean Turnell.
‘After an announcement by Samdech Techo Prime minister, during the inauguration ceremony for the official use of National Road No. 7 in Kratie province this morning, regarding the release of Prof. Sean Turnell, an Australian national detained in Myanmar, confirmation on this issue was sought by many.
The Spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation wishes to clarify that this announcement was due to a false information and that Prof. Turnell still remains in detention.
Despite this unintended incident, the Spokesperson would like to recall that Samdech Techo Prime Minister, during his talks with Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, had raised the issue of Prof. Sean Turnell and received from the Senior General the assurance that the latter would reconsider the case once the court process is over.’ said the Spokesperson of MFAIC in a statement released this evening.
Turnell, an Australian professor, was serving as an adviser to former Myanmar leader Aung San Suu Kyi when he was arrested in February last year, just days after a military coup.
The economics professor has been charged with violating Myanmar’s state secrets law and is facing a maximum sentence of 14 years in prison.
The Australian Government has directly requested through the Prime Minister that Myanmar leader Min Aung Hlaing releases Mr Turnell.
During the PM’s meeting with Min Aung Hlaing on January 7, 2022, the Prime Minister presented the Australian proposal to the Myanmar leader, and as a result, Min Aung Hlaing has promised a positive solution, although Mr Turnell is still in detention at the time of writing.
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