Myanmar military executes pastor

The military dictatorship in Myanmar, also known as Burma, executed a Baptist pastor about a month after arresting him, International Christian Concern reported late last week. Military officials arrested Rev. William and another professing Christian, Nam Ceu, in May, before executing both the following month, according to the nonprofit. He is survived by his wife and five children.

William, who used no surname, pastored Chungcung Baptist Church in eastern Myanmar’s Chin State for over 25 years. William’s memorial service took place on Aug. 26, over three months after his initial arrest, the Burma Research Institute reported last Thursday.

Why was he arrested in the first place? William was accused of supporting the Hakha Chinland Defense Force, a rebel group. The 77th Light Infantry Division arrested William and Ceu on May 16, about one mile outside the village, the research institute reported. Three other people were with the men when the military forces arrived and fled the scene, but William stayed behind, believing his pastoral ID card would protect him, BRI continued.

Myanmar soldiers targeted Christian residents in the Chungcung village, about 15 miles outside the state capital, since the 2021 military coup, according to the research institute. Soldiers killed 16 villagers and burned several homes since the junta took power, researchers reported. Soldiers looted and burned the Chungcung Baptist Church in October 2021, less than a year after the coup. President and CEO of the Burman Research Institute, Zo Tum Hmung, called on the Trump administration to protect Myanmar’s persecuted Christians.