US Senator Confirms John Yettaw Myanmar Release

Yettaw's (right) uninvited visit to Suu Kyi's (left) home led to her trial. He was himself given seven years' hard labour. Photo by thefirstpost.co.uk

US Senator Jim Webb has said jailed American John Yettaw is to be released by Myanmar's military leaders and will leave the country with him on Sunday.

The announcement came shortly after Webb held talks with Myanmar military ruler Than Shwe in Myanmar.

Webb also met pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi, days after she was given house arrest for 18 more months.

Yettaw's uninvited visit to Suu Kyi's home led to her trial. He was himself given seven years' hard labour.

Webb's office said Yettaw would be officially deported on Sunday morning and that the senator would bring him out of the country on a military aircraft that was returning to Bangkok.