Australian academic Professor Sean Turnell was again arraigned in Naypyidaw’s Zabuthiri special court on 24 February, according to sources close to the court.

During the hearing, witness for the prosecution Aung Kyaw San was examined with regards to a charge Turnell faces under Section 3-1 (c) of the country’s Official Secrets Act, reports DVB.

Co-defendants Aung San Suu Kyi, deposed deputy minister of planning, finance and industry Set Aung, and former minister of planning and finance Kyaw Win, are also reported to have attended the hearing.

Turnell was arrested in Yangon five days after Myanmar's military overthrew the elected government just over 12 months ago. The charge under Myanmar's Official Secrets Act carries a maximum penalty of 14 years in prison if found guilty.

The Australian government has called on the Myanmar regime to release Turnell.