Burma Frees American Activist Who Visited Suu Kyi

Yangon, Myanmar (AHN) – John William Yettaw who reportedly swam across a lake to democracy advocate Aung San Suu Kyi’s home in Myanmar, is said to be released and deported from the country on Sunday.

The 54-year-old American activist had spent at least one night in May at Suu Kyi’s home, leading to his capture by the military-led authorities for trespassing into a restricted zone.

Yettaw also faced charges relating to immigration, and violating a law that protects the state from those desiring to cause subversive acts.

He was sentenced to seven years of hard labor, while Suu Kyi was sentenced to 18 months of detention by the Junta regime in a trial ended Tuesday.

His release was obtained by US Senator Jim Webb, who is visiting the country to meet with top officials including Senior General Than Shwe.

Webb is the first foreign official to meet with Nobel laureate Suu Kyi on Saturday in a 40-minute meeting since her sentence.

The Democrat from Virginia arrived in Burma on Friday in a landmark visit to Myanmar, formerly known as Burma.

Burma’ regime continues to remain in power despite the overwhelmingly victory of Suu Kyi’s party almost two decades ago.

Sixty-four-year-old Suu Kyi has spent has been under illegitimate house arrest for more than 14 of the 20 years.