Pastors Dom Dawng Nawng Latt, 65, and La Jaw Gam Hseng, 35, were arrested on December 24, 2016, after helping to negotiate the release of a couple that had complained to military officials about the destruction of their house. The pastors went to the Byuha Gon military base where the couple were being held. Military officials released the couple but detained the clergymen, citing that the arrest was linked to the pastors helping journalists cover the bombing of the St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church building on November 23-24.

They have been charged with unlawful association with an armed ethic group as well as recruiting and spying for an armed ethnic group, all charges the local Christian leaders deny. The pastors’ case has not gone to trial, despite a law guaranteeing a hearing within 28 days of arrest. Human Rights Watch has condemned the arrests as baseless and arbitrary and calls for the pastors’ release. If convicted, they could face up to five years in prison. Please pray for the pastor’s release and that the truth of their case will be revealed in court.

More information about this situation can be found in an article on Morning Star News.