The two pastors, who were found guilty for apparently damaging the reputation of Tatmadaw (Myanmar’s armed force), are still waiting for their release. The US Embassy and the Kachi Baptist Convention are concerned about the sentencing of the two pastors since they believe the arrest was arbitrary. Christians in Myanmar continue to experience religious persecution, which clearly shows that religious freedom and free speech are diminishing for anyone that has a different view from the government’s.

10/30/2017 Myanmar (Myanmar Times) – The Kachin Baptist Convention (KBC) will appeal the guilty verdict and prison sentences of two Christian pastors from Munggu town, Muse district in Shan State, KBC general secretary Dr Hkalam Samson told The Myanmar Times.

The two pastors, Dumdaw Nawng Lat and Langjaw Gam Seng, were found guilty on October 26 of defaming the Tatmadaw under section 17/1 of the Unlawful Associations Act, Section 500, and under section 8 of the Export Import Law. The charges were brought by the Tatmadaw and Muse township police, said High Court lawyer U Ba Yan Di, who is defending them.

Dumdaw Nawng Lat was sentenced to four years and three months imprisonment, including two years with hard labour for unlawful association, two years for defaming the Tatmadaw, and three months under the Export Import Law.

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