Australia says two citizens released from Myanmar detention

SYDNEY: Two Australians who were detained in Myanmar late last month have been released and have left Yangon, Canberra's foreign affairs department said on Monday (Apr 5).

Business consultants Matthew O'Kane and Christa Avery, a dual Canadian-Australian citizen, were put under house arrest after trying to leave the country on a relief flight in March.

A Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade spokesperson said Australian officials had "provided consular assistance" to the couple during their detention and release.

"We provided support for their departure from Yangon on Apr 4," the spokesperson added in a statement.

"We welcome their release."

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The couple ran a bespoke consultancy business in Yangon.

“I am, of course, incredibly relieved to have been released and to be on my way home with my husband, Matt,” Avery said in a statement.

“Even though I knew that I had done nothing wrong, it was very stressful being held under house arrest for two weeks.”

A third Australian, economist Sean Turnell, an advisor to civilian leader Aung San Suu Kyi, who was arrested a week after the putsch remains in custody.

The economist and university professor was the first foreign national arrested following the Feb 1 coup that ousted the Nobel laureate from power and plunged Myanmar into turmoil.

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He is being investigated by the junta over alleged immigration and state secrets offences.

“I hope that even if Sean cannot be released very soon, he can, at least, be moved to house arrest for his physical, mental and emotional wellbeing,” Avery said.

Canberra has suspended military cooperation with Naypyidaw and has advised its citizens to leave the country if it is safe to do so.