Detention of an Australian who advises the Prime Minister of Myanmar

Bangkok / Melbourne – (Reuters):
Sean Tornell, the Australian economic advisor to Myanmar Prime Minister Aung San Suu Kyi, said in a letter to “Reuters” Saturday that he is “detained”, in the first known arrest of a foreign citizen in Myanmar, since the army generals seized power.

“I am accused of something, I don’t know what it is,” Tornell said, adding, “I am fine and strong, and I am not guilty of anything.”

Reuters was unable to contact him afterwards.

The military seized power and arrested officials, including Prime Minister Aung San Suu Kyi, for alleged fraud in the November 8 elections, in which the National League for Democracy, led by Suu Kyi, won by an overwhelming majority.