Sean Turnell

Sean Turnell, a university academic and former economic advisor to Aung San Suu Kyi, shares his striking journey from academia in Australia to imprisonment in Myanmar following the 2021 coup. He recounts the harrowing moment of his arrest and the harsh realities of life in prison, emphasizing the importance of literature and pacing for his mental survival. Turnell also reflects on Myanmar’s deepening economic crisis and expresses hope for the resilience of its people and the potential for a brighter future.

In this engaging conversation, Sean Turnell, an Australian economist and author of "An Unlikely Prisoner," shares his harrowing experience as a political prisoner in Myanmar. He discusses the emotional turmoil of the coup and his detainment, revealing the resilience of both himself and the Burmese people. Sean highlights his work with Aung San Suu Kyi and challenges in Myanmar's economic transition. He also reflects on the eerie design of Naypyidaw and the absurdity of justice under an oppressive regime, all while choosing solidarity over despair.

Australian economist Sean Turnell, falsely imprisoned during a military coup in Myanmar, shares his harrowing ordeal in prison, including coping mechanisms, imaginative escapes in solitary confinement, acts of courage and compassion, and reflections on resilience and gratitude post-release.