Myanmar junta frees Suu Kyi's Australian adviser, former UK envoy - Reuters

Nov 17 (Reuters) - Myanmar's subject rulers granted amnesty to Sean Turnell, an Australian economist and erstwhile advisor to ideology icon Aung San Suu Kyi, among astir 6,000 prisoners to beryllium freed to people a nationalist holiday, authorities media reported connected Thursday.

A diplomatic root told Reuters Turnell arsenic good arsenic erstwhile British ambassador to Myanmar, Vicky Bowman, had been freed and had near Myanmar by plane, adding they were owed to alert to Thailand.

Kyodo quality agency, citing sources, reported that Japanese filmmaker Toru Kubota had besides been released.

The foreigners were fixed amnesty "for the narration with different countries and besides for humanitarian purposes", and had been asked to permission the country, authorities media said.

Myanmar has been successful turmoil since the military's coup successful February past year, erstwhile it arrested civilian leaders including Nobel laureate Suu Kyi, ending a decennary of tentative democracy.

The coup sparked nationwide protests that were often violently unopen down, starring to thousands of arrests and fuelling an equipped absorption movement.

Two witnesses told Reuters they saw a autobus permission the notorious Insein Prison successful the commercialized superior Yangon connected Thursday afternoon, with immoderate of those named successful the amnesty onboard.

Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong earlier welcomed reports astir Turnell, who was recovered blameworthy of violating a authorities secrets instrumentality and sentenced successful September to 3 years successful jail.

Earlier this month, Wong said Australia was considering imposing sanctions connected Myanmar.

'HOSTAGE TACTICS'

Myanmar's shadiness National Unity Government said it was heartened by the amnesty, but said the satellite should not beryllium duped by the junta.

"These types of hostage tactics by the junta should not fool the planetary assemblage into believing that the subject has changed its colours," said Htin Linn Aung, an NUG curate and spokesperson.

Bowman, Britain's ambassador from 2002-2006 and present caput of a radical that promotes ethical concern successful Myanmar, had been jailed for immigration violations.

Her Burmese creator hubby Ko Htein Lin was besides connected the database of those to beryllium freed. The diplomatic root did not accidental whether helium was with Bowman erstwhile she was released, oregon connected the formation with her. U.S. national Kyaw Htay Oo was besides among those included successful the amnesty.

Kubota was past period sentenced to 10 years successful prison for violating sedition and communications laws.

Japan's main furniture caput Hirokazu Matsuno earlier connected Thursday said the authorities had been informed Kubota was steadfast and would instrumentality location arsenic aboriginal arsenic Friday.

"We volition proceed to request Myanmar to instrumentality circumstantial and due actions to rebuild antiauthoritarian society, and to lick problems peacefully and seriously," Matsuno said.

Altogether 5,774 prisoners were granted amnesty. Others to beryllium released included 11 celebrities positive Kyaw Tint Swe, a erstwhile curate and a adjacent adjutant to Suu Kyi, according to authorities media.

The witnesses astatine Insein situation said erstwhile ruling enactment spokesperson Myo Nyunt and salient ideology advocator Mya Aye were among those seen leaving the jail.

"I volition beryllium unneurotic with Myanmar radical nary substance what the concern is," Mya Aye said.

A junta spokesperson did not reply Reuters' telephone calls seeking comment.

The Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (AAPP), which has been documenting the military's crackdown, said the junta had freed the foreigners to easiness governmental pressure.

"Yet again, governmental prisoners are being utilized arsenic bargaining chips," it said.

Phil Robertson, lawman Asia manager of Human Rights Watch, said radical should not beryllium jailed for expressing governmental views.

"One hopes this merchandise volition not beryllium a one-off lawsuit but alternatively the commencement of a process by the junta to merchandise each governmental prisoners," helium told Reuters.

Reporting by Reuters staff; Writing by Kanupriya Kapoor and Martin Petty; Editing by Lincoln Feast, Simon Cameron-Moore, William Maclean

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