American intruder "key player" in Suu Kyi case

By Aung Hla Tun

YANGON (Reuters) - The American who swam to the home of Myanmar opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi was the "key player" in the case against her and may not have been working alone, the country's police chief said Friday.

Brigadier General Khin Yi said John Yettaw, whose May 4 visit to Suu Kyi's home could see her jailed for five years, was a man of "high intelligence" who may have received outside support.

"It is quite clear, without a shadow of a doubt, that Mr. John William Yettaw is the key player in this incident," Khin Yi told a news conference.

"There might have been some people who pulled the strings behind the scenes, gave instructions and even provided him with financial and material assistance," he said.

"Necessary investigations are still going on to expose who and which organizations they are."

Suu Kyi is charged with breaching the terms of her house arrest by allowing Yettaw to stay at her home for two days. She has blamed security guards for the breach.

The trial of the Nobel laureate, which is due to resume on Friday, has sparked outrage around the world and critics say the case is an attempt by Myanmar's military rulers to keep her out of planned multi-party elections next year.

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