In Myanmar, the military executed a Baptist pastor

Another extrajudicial killing has been reported in Myanmar: representatives of the military junta executed Baptist pastor William and parishioner Nam Ceu, who had been detained earlier on suspicion of supporting opposition forces.

According to , data from the Burma Research Institute indicates that the two believers were detained in May of this year. The military accused the men of collaborating with the “Haha Chinland Defense Forces”—a local organization waging an armed struggle against the current regime. Despite the absence of a lawful trial, both detainees were killed while in custody.

The late Pastor William had served as the spiritual leader of the Baptist congregation in the village of Chuncheon for more than twenty-five years. He is survived by his wife and five children. It is worth noting that following the coup d’état in Myanmar in 2021, the village where the pastor served was repeatedly subjected to brutal raids by the army. In particular, in October 2021, soldiers completely looted and destroyed the local Baptist church.