Suu Kyi, Australian economist jailed for 3 years by Myanmar Court - source (Reuters)

Deposed leader Aung San Suu Kyi and her former economic advisor from Australia Sean Turnell have been jailed for three years today by a court in military-ruled Myanmar. A source of Reuters familiar with the proceedings said that they violated a secrets law.

Turnell was also found guilty of breaking an immigration law, and was ordered to serve another three-year sentence concurrently, according to media and a second source of Reuters. People who have earlier faced charges under the same law include an American journalist, a former British envoy and a Japanese filmmaker.

Both Turnell and Suu Kyi pleaded not guilty to the imposed charges carrying a maximum sentence of 14 years. Along these two, many members of her economic team are amongst the thousands arrested since last year when the military overthrew her government in a coup. Arrested people include lawmakers, politicians, students, bureaucrats and journalists.

A Nobel Laureate, Suu Kyi has been sentenced to at least 23 prison years in various cases, mostly because of corruption charges. She denies all accusations levied on her.

The opponents of the military say that Suu Kyi is charged to block her from getting involved in politics ever again and therefore not challenging the military's hold on power.

Sean Turnell is an economics professor at Macquarie University, Australia. He has been in detention since the past few days. Ha Vu, his wife shared that she and her family have been heartbroken at the verdict. In a Facebook post, she demanded Sean to be deported as he has been one of Myanmar's biggest supporters for over 20 years, working relentlessly to strengthen its economy.