The former President of Kachin Baptist Convention (KBC) Reverend Bishop Dr Hkalam Samson was remanded to Myitkyina Prison for the first time on January 11 and charged with 2 counts of Unlawful Association.
He has served as secretary and president of the Kachin Baptist Convention (KBC) for 12 years and is currently serving as an advisor. He also chaired the Kachin National Consultative Assembly-WMR and a key figure in civil society.
The highly respected bishop who actively promoted the humanitarian aid and welfare rights. He was prominent in coordinating help for the victims of the Oct. 23 junta airstrike on a KIO anniversary concert at Ana-Pa, Hpakant township,and tried to arrange for the seriously injured to receive emergency medical treatment at the nearest hospitals. The military deliberately obstructed road access from Ana-Pa at the time.
Later the bishop arranged for the funerals of the victims and participated in a prayer meeting in Myitkyina held to commemorate the more than 60 people who died. It was organized by the Myanmar Council of Churches, which represents all the country’s Christian groups.
Bishop Hkalam Samson was arrested on December 5 while waiting at Mandalay Airport to fly to Bangkok, Thailand. Then, 24 days later, after being interrogated by the military, he was sent to Myitkyina Prison on December 28.
Whether the Junta have detained him for his humanitarian role in helping the victims of the Hkapant massacre, or because as” Duwa Lashi La,” the bishop was appointed as the acting president of the National Unity Government (NUG) after the military coup, is not clear.
What is known is the prosecution will submit video tapes as evidence of “unlawful association”.
A KBC member mentioned that military had shown them some tapes in which they allege members of the KIO had been present in the congregation that attended one of the bishop’s sermons.
On the day of his first court appearance today, Kachin Baptist Convention (KBC) officials and family members went to Myitkyina Prison to meet the Bishop, but they were not allowed to see him, and were only allowed to meet with the lawyers who will be investigating the case.
Bishop Hkalam Samson has been charged with Section 17(1) of the Unlawful Association Act and Section 505 (a) and will appear in court again on January 13, according to a KBC official.
