Myanmar junta leader Min Aung Hlaing says the detention of an Australian adviser to Myanmar's deposed leader Aung San Suu Kyi had led to the discovery of secret financial information, according to state-run MRTV television.
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Australian Foreign Affairs Minister Marise Payne has called for the release of Sean Turnell, who was detained on February 6 following a coup that led to the arrest of Suu Kyi herself.
"An attempt to flee the country by the former government's foreign economic adviser, Sean Turnell, was stopped in time and secret state financial information was found through him. Union-level ministers are taking legal actions in relation to that issue," MRTV quoted the junta leader as saying.
Australia on Monday suspended military co-operation with Myanmar and redirected aid to non-government organisations in response to escalating violence following last month's military coup.
The Australian government has raised grave concerns about the deadly protests that have occurred since the military seized power from Suu Kyi's party on February 1.
Payne said Turnell had spoken to his family in the past 10 days in addition to a small amount of consular access being provided.
"We do not accept the conditions of his detention and the reasons for his detention," she said.
"In everything we are doing, we are seeking Professor Turnell's release."
Australian Associated Press
