Officials from the Peace-Talk Creation Group (PCG) have confirmed to KNG that Reverend Bishop Dr. Hkalam Samson, who had been detained by the junta, has been released.

Dr. Hkalam Samson, a counselor with the Kachin Baptist Convention (KBC), was initially released by the junta on April 17, 2023. However, he was immediately re-arrested on the same day under the pretext of participating in peace talks and was subsequently imprisoned again.

After more than three months, on July 22, 2024, the junta released him for the second time.

“The news of his release is accurate. He was released yesterday at 11:30 AM. While details are still unclear, we can confirm that he is now back home,” stated an official from the PCG.

Dr. Hkalam Samson, who is also a former chairman of the Kachin Baptist Convention (KBC), was initially arrested by junta troops at Mandalay Airport on December 4, 2022.

He was later charged under Section 17(1) of the Association of Unlawful Associations Act, Section 505(A) of the Penal Code for Defamation, and Section 52(A) of the Terrorism Act, resulting in a total sentence of six years in prison.

He was released on amnesty on April 17, 2023, after spending over a year in Myitkyina Prison. However, on the same day, he was re-arrested by junta troops at his home.

KNG has learned that following his re-arrest, Dr. Hkalam Samson was placed in the guest facility of Myitkyina Prison.

KNG continues to investigate and gather information regarding Dr. Hkalam Samson's health condition and other pertinent details following his release.