John Yettaw

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Suu Kyi Loses Appeal, Will Sit Out Election

Burmese democracy leader fails to reverse newest term of house arrest

(Newser) - A Burmese court rejected Aung San Suu Kyi's appeal against her latest spell of house arrest today. The pro-democracy leader, who was convicted of violating her previous sentence after an American swam to her home, will remain confined through next year and will be ineligible for the upcoming election. A...

Suu Kyi Swimmer Heads Home
 Suu Kyi Swimmer 
 Heads Home 
Aug 19, 2009 7:17 AM CDT

Suu Kyi Swimmer Heads Home

(Newser) - American John Yettaw boarded a flight home today, ending an infamous journey that began three months ago with a secret swim to the home of Aung San Suu Kyi that landed them both in prison. Suu Kyi, who repeatedly asked him to leave, and her two live-in aides, are still...

Suu Kyi's Yank Swimmer Lands in Thailand

Sen. Webb: 'What he did was regrettable'

(Newser) - While Myanmar activist Aung San Suu Kyi begins another 18 months under house arrest, the American responsible for her sentence is free and has landed in Thailand, reports CNN. John Yettaw, whose release was won by Sen. Jim Webb, was hospitalized for observation in Bangkok. “He had a medical...

Webb Visits Suu Kyi, Wins American's Release
Webb Visits Suu Kyi,
Wins American's Release 
UPDATED
Aug 15, 2009 8:09 AM CDT

Webb Visits Suu Kyi, Wins American's Release

(Newser) - Sen. Jim Webb visited Myanmar's democracy icon Aung San Suu Kyi today, in a rare meeting between a foreign official and the Nobel laureate, the AP reports. He also won the release of the American who swam uninvited to her home and caused her latest trouble. Suu Kyi, who was...

Webb Visits Burma, Will Meet With Junta Chief

(Newser) - Sen. Jim Webb arrived in Burma today and will meet with the leader of the country's junta this weekend, reports the New York Times. The Virginia Democrat will be the highest-ranking American official ever to meet Gen. Than Shwe; the White House said the senator was "not carrying a...

Suu Kyi Found Guilty
 Suu Kyi Found Guilty 
Aug 11, 2009 3:24 AM CDT

Suu Kyi Found Guilty

Myanmar democracy activist gets another 18 months house arrest

(Newser) - Burmese opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi has been found guilty of violating a security law because an American swam to her house, and will again be placed in house detention for at least another 18 months, Reuters reports. The court handed down a sentence of three years hard labor,...

Suu Kyi Supporters Soften Demands to Win Release

(Newser) - Aung San Suu Kyi’s supporters are reevaluating their tactics ahead of her expected conviction tomorrow, hoping they can come to some kind of agreement with Myanmar’s junta, the Wall Street Journal reports. Suu Kyi faces a five-year sentence for violating her government-imposed house arrest by allowing in an...

Suu Kyi Forgives American for Intrusion

(Newser) - Aung San Suu Kyi feels no ill will toward the American who infiltrated her home in an act that could land her another 5 years of prison, the AP reports. “Suu Kyi said she bore no grudge against (John) Yettaw or his family,” her lawyer said after a...

Suu Kyi Lawyers 'Optimistic' as Trial Nears End

Verdict in pro-democracy leader's trial expected after closing arguments Monday

(Newser) - Aung San Suu Kyi's lawyers are optimistic about her case despite the fact only one defense witness has been allowed to testify, the Press Association reports. One of the lawyers for the Burmese pro-democracy leader said he was "very confident of victory if the trial is carried out according...

Obama Demands Suu Kyi Freedom

(Newser) - President Obama issued a sharply worded statement yesterday demanding the "immediate and unconditional" release of Burmese democracy activist Aung San Suu Kyi, reports the BBC. Her "detention, isolation, and show trial based on spurious charges cast serious doubt on the Burmese regime's willingness to be a responsible member...

Suu Kyi Pleads Not Guilty, Blames Regime's Security

(Newser) - Burmese opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi pleaded not guilty today to charges she violated terms of her house arrest, Reuters reports. She blamed the regime’s lax security for allowing an American to swim to her lakeside home. Asked if she was guilty, Suu Kyi answered, “no, because...

Yank: Suu Kyi Swim Spurred by 'Vision of Danger'

Yettaw hoped to post video on YouTube

(Newser) - The American who jeopardized Aung San Suu Kyi’s freedom by swimming to the lakeside home where she was under house arrest told the court yesterday he did so because he “had a vision” that Suu Kyi’s life was in danger, the Independent reports. John Yettaw planned to...

Junta Again Boots Media, Diplomats From Suu Kyi Trial

After 1-day reprieve, observers ejected

(Newser) - The Burmese military regime abruptly reversed a decision yesterday to allow diplomats to visit Aung San Suu Kyi, and once again ejected journalists from the democracy leader's trial. A British envoy allowed into the courtroom yesterday told CNN that Suu Kyi was in good spirits and "extremely in charge...

Burma Will Allow Diplomats to Visit Suu Kyi

Dictatorship also opens trial to media after global outcry

(Newser) - Burma's ruling junta will take the unusual step of allowing diplomats to meet with Aung San Suu Kyi, the opposition leader currently on trial, reports CNN. Officials from Russia, Singapore, and Thailand are expected to meet Suu Kyi later today. On the third day of the trial, the government allowed...

Asian Leaders Condemn Suu Kyi Trial

Nobel Peace Prize-winners label pro-democracy leader's trial 'a mockery'

(Newser) - The trial of Aung San Suu Kyi drew unusually strong condemnation from Asian leaders as it entered its second day today, the BBC reports. A statement from the ASEAN bloc urged Burma's ruling military junta to ensure the ailing 63-year-old was given proper medical care, repeated a call for her...

Suu Kyi Lawyer Banned
Suu Kyi
Lawyer Banned
May 16, 2009 8:35 AM CDT

Suu Kyi Lawyer Banned

Burma disbars activist attorney, files charges against intruding American

(Newser) - Burma has disbarred a high-profile activist lawyer who was meant to be part of Aung San Suu Kyi’s defense team, Reuters reports. Aung Thein said he visited the prison yesterday where the Noble Peace laureate is being held ahead of a Monday trial on charges she violated her house...

Suu Kyi Stalker 'Not Crazy,' Relatives Say

Grief-stricken American dad landed Burmese activist back in prison

(Newser) - The daughter of the man who jeopardized Aung San Suu Kyi's freedom by swimming to visit her while she was under house arrest insist that John William Yettaw is "not crazy" and had "no ill intention," the Telegraph reports. The Vietnam veteran's strange plan may have been...

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