Hkalam Samson poses for photography together with his wife after his release from the prison in Myintkyina township in Kachin state, Myanmar on Wednesday, April 17, 2024
Mizzima
Though the junta re-imprisoned the former Kachin Baptist Church (KBC) leader, Dr. Hkalam Samson, a day after releasing him in an amnesty they now want to meet him in Nay Pyi Taw for talks.
Currently Dr. Samson is being held in a guest house inside Myitkyina Prison. It is not known when he will be summoned and taken to the meeting in Nay Pyi Taw.
“The summoning process has been delayed due to a recent riot incident in the prison. I heard that he was instructed to travel to Nay Pyi Taw to discuss the peace matter. I’m not aware of the specifics yet”, said a Myitkyina Prison employee.
Dr. Samson is a respected Kachin religious leader and a prominent advocate for ethnic minority rights and religious freedom in. Myanmar.
He was previously sentenced to six years’ imprisonment on various charges, including Section 17 (1) of the colonial-era Unlawful Associations Act, section 505 (a) of the penal code, and counter-terrorism law.
He was released on 17 April 2024 in the Thingyan prisoner amnesty but promptly rearrested by the junta the next day, less than 24 hours after his release.
