Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen has admitted an "unintentional mistake" in saying detained Australian Sean Turnell had been freed in Myanmar, after the junta denied releasing the economist.
Professor Turnell was working as an advisor to Myanmar civilian leader Aung San Suu Kyi when he was detained shortly after the coup in February last year.
He has been charged with violating Myanmar's official secrets law and faces a maximum penalty of 14 years in prison if found guilty.
On Monday, Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen said Professor Turnell had "been released" the previous day, but by the evening he issued a retraction on Facebook saying he had "received the wrong information".
"I would like to ask for understanding for this unintentional mistake."
The Cambodian strongman, who met with Myanmar's junta chief last month, claimed the release had happened after he passed on a request from Australia's government.
"At that time, I made the request to Min Aung Hlaing and Min Aung Hlaing said he would consider it positively," Mr Hun Sen said.
Junta spokesman Zaw Min Tun denied that Professor Turnell had been released, but acknowledged that Mr Hun Sen had brought up the matter during his visit -- the first to Myanmar by any foreign leader since last year's coup.
"Regarding this matter, Senior General Ming Aung Hlaing said he would think about it after his legal case is finished," he said.
Professor Turnell has appeared in court every Thursday in the military capital Naypyidaw for his trial, where he is co-accused alongside Ms Suu Kyi.
He is one of more than 12,000 people arrested since the coup, and more than 1,500 have been killed by the junta, according to the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (Burma).
Professor Turnell's wife, Dr Ha Vu, has repeatedly called for his release.
Human rights groups have raised concerns about Professor Turnell's prosecution, particularly after the Australian embassy was denied access to his court hearing in September.
On Monday, Australian Foreign Minister Marise Payne called on Myanmar to release Professor Turnell, and said Australian officials should be able to observe his court proceedings.
"Professor Turnell's detention is unjust, and we reject the allegations against him," she said in a media release.
The exact details of Professor Turnell's alleged offence have not been made public, although state television has said he had access to "secret state financial information" and had tried to flee the country.
AFP/ABC
