Myanmar jails Christian pastor for six years: lawyer

13 Sept 09:54 Key points summarised by AI

Myanmar's military junta sentenced high-profile Christian pastor Hkalam Samson to six years in prison on charges of terrorism and illegal assembly.
Samson received three years for meeting a senior member of the National Unity Government (NUG), two years for unlawful association for visiting a rebel-held town, and one year for undermining military authorities over a speech.
The sentencing reflects the junta's ongoing crackdown, which has seen over 20,000 people arrested on political charges since the February 2021 coup.
Pastor Samson is a prominent figure who previously met then-US President Donald Trump in 2019 to highlight religious persecution in Myanmar.

Nationwide crackdown launched on illegal nominee shareholders and land holdings

Today 15:20 Key points summarised by AI

Thailand's Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul initiated a nationwide crackdown on illegal Thai nominee shareholders in foreign-run businesses and land holdings to safeguard national interests.
The government will integrate efforts across all relevant agencies to target illicit foreign operations, forced sales of illegally acquired property, and high-risk land ownership schemes.
Key strategies include auditing suspect land and building holdings, establishing a long-term monitoring system, and cross-referencing data from various authorities to trace ultimate beneficial owners.
Prime Minister Anutin emphasized that no influential figures or corrupt officials are above the law, promising straightforward prosecution, asset seizures, and protection for enforcing officers.
Beyond land ownership, the integrated crackdown will also extend to tackle transnational crimes, including drug and human trafficking.