Myanmar trial: Australian pleads not guilty

An Australian economist and former adviser to deposed Myanmar leader Aung San Suu Kyi has pleaded not guilty in a closed Myanmar court to charges of violating a state secrets law, according to media reports yesterday.

Sean Turnell has been detained in Myanmar since February 6 last year, a few days after the military ousted Suu Kyi's elected government in a coup. He faces up to 14 years in prison if convicted.

Australian broadcaster ABC cited a legal official as saying Turnell had testified in court for the first time since his arrest but few details were available.

Australian Acting Prime Minister Richard Marles said he was "concerned about the level of access that is available to those providing consular services to" Turnell.