Myanmar junta frees Suu Kyi’s Australian adviser Turnell, former UK envoy Bowman

YANGON - Myanmar’s military rulers have granted amnesty to

Dr Sean Turnell, an Australian economist and former adviser to democracy icon Aung San Suu Kyi

, among nearly 6,000 prisoners to be freed to mark a national holiday, state media reported on Thursday.

A diplomatic source said Dr Turnell and former British ambassador to Myanmar, Ms Vicky Bowman, had been freed and had left Myanmar, adding that they were due to fly to Thailand.

Kyodo news agency, citing sources, reported that Japanese filmmaker Toru Kubota had also been released.

The foreigners were given amnesty “for the relationship with other countries and also for humanitarian purposes”, and had been asked to leave the country, state media said.

Myanmar has been in turmoil since the military’s coup in February 2021, when it arrested civilian leaders including Nobel Peace laureate Ms Suu Kyi, ending a decade of tentative democracy.

The coup sparked nationwide protests that were often violently shut down, leading to thousands of arrests and fuelling an armed resistance movement.

Two witnesses said they saw a bus leave the notorious Insein Prison in the commercial capital Yangon on Thursday afternoon, with some of those named in the amnesty on board.

Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong earlier welcomed reports about the release of Dr Turnell, who was found guilty of violating a state secrets law and sentenced in September to three years in jail.

Earlier in November, Ms Wong said Australia was considering imposing sanctions on Myanmar.

‘Hostage tactics’

Myanmar’s shadow National Unity Government (NUG) said it was heartened by the amnesty, but said the world should not be duped by the junta.

“These types of hostage tactics by the junta should not fool the international community into believing that the military has changed its colours,” said Mr Htin Linn Aung, an NUG minister and spokesman.

Ms Bowman, Britain’s ambassador to Myanmar from 2002 to 2006 and now head of a group that promotes ethical business in the country, had been jailed for immigration violations.

Her Burmese artist husband Ko Htein Lin was also on the list of those to be freed. The diplomatic source did not say whether he was with Ms Bowman when she was released, or on the flight with her.

US citizen Kyaw Htay Oo was also among those included in the amnesty.

Mr Kubota was sentenced in October to 10 years in prison for violating sedition and communications laws.

Japan’s Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirokazu Matsuno earlier on Thursday said the government had been informed that Mr Kubota was healthy and would return home as early as Friday.

“We will continue to demand Myanmar to take specific and appropriate actions to rebuild democratic society, and to solve problems peacefully and seriously,” Mr Matsuno said.

Altogether 5,774 prisoners were granted amnesty. Others to be released included 11 celebrities plus Mr Kyaw Tint Swe, a former minister and a close aide to Ms Suu Kyi, according to state media.

The witnesses at Insein prison said former ruling party spokesman Myo Nyunt and prominent democracy advocate Mya Aye were among those seen leaving the jail.

“I will be together with Myanmar people no matter what the situation is,” Mr Mya Aye said.

A junta spokesman did not answer phone calls seeking comment.

The Assistance Association for Political Prisoners, which has been documenting the military’s crackdown, said the junta had freed the foreigners to ease political pressure.

“Yet again, political prisoners are being used as bargaining chips,” it said.

Mr Phil Robertson, deputy Asia director for Human Rights Watch, said people should not be jailed for expressing political views.

“One hopes this release will not be a one-off event but rather the start of a process by the junta to release all political prisoners,” he said. REUTERS