Mizzima News

New Delhi (Mizzima) - The American, John William Yettaw, on trial in Burma for swimming across to Aung San Suu Kyi’s home in early May, was hospitalized on Monday night, after having convulsions in Rangoon’s Insein prison.

Yettaw (54) reportedly suffering from diabetes and other health problems, was taken to Rangoon General Hospital from the notorious Insein prison, where he is being detained, by the police after having a fit on Monday, a spokesperson of the US embassy in Rangoon said.

Richard Mei, the embassy spokesman, said, “It is true that he was taken to Rangoon hospital late last night [Monday night] for an ongoing disease that he is suffering.”

Yettaw is said to be kept in a separate room, away from other patients, in the hospital and is heavily guarded.

Earlier in a rare press conference in June, the Burmese junta’s police chief Khin Yee told reporters that Yettaw is in fine health.

Yettaw, from Falcon, Missouri in United States is on trial along with Burmese opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi and two of her party mates living with her after he swam across the Inya lake and entered her home in May.

The devout Mormon said he was on a mission sent by God to warn the Burmese Nobel Peace Laureate that she could be assassinated.

He is currently facing trial on charges of abetting Aung San Suu Kyi to flout security laws, immigration violations and a municipal charge of illegal swimming.

Along with Yettaw, Aung San Suu Kyi and her two party mates face up to five years in prison, if found guilty.