Suu Kyi Swimmer Heads Home

By Newser Editors and Wire Services
Posted Aug 19, 2009 7:17 AM CDT
Suu Kyi Swimmer Heads Home
John Yettaw of Missouri is pushed through Bangkok, Thailand's Suvarnabhumi airport Wednesday, Aug. 19, 2009.    (David Longstreath)

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 in custody. "It's very ugly that the person who caused the problem was released but the three people in the house remain detained," Suu Kyi said.

Yettaw, who is reportedly in poor health, flew with Sen. Jim Webb to neighboring Thailand and underwent two days of medical tests at a Bangkok hospital. Seated in a wheelchair and wearing a face mask, Yettaw said "Love you!" to an AP reporter before heading onto a United Airlines flight this morning. Dressed in a rumpled white shirt and tan pants, Yettaw looked pale and haggard. Asked about his health, he pointed to an IV inserted in his hand. (More John Yettaw stories.)

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