A Canadian pastor charged in Myanmar with violating a ban on large gatherings made his first court appearance after being released from a quarantine reportedly because he had contracted COVID-19.
David Lah was charged in mid-April and faces possible punishment of up to three years in prison, a fine, or both. The law was invoked in mid-March to combat the spread of the coronavirus, and the charge involves a religion gathering Lah held on April 7 in Yangon.
The judge at Wednesday's hearing ordered Lah's detention for 15 days pending a possible trial while police continue their investigations. Lah made no public comment.The evidence against Lah comes from videos he posted online of his own sermons. One video purportedly showed him making false claims that Christians were immune from contracting the coronavirus.
Lah has publicized his globe-trotting evangelical activities widely on social media such as Facebook and YouTube. Myanmar health authorities do not release the names of patients with COVID-19, but numerous reports in Myanmar media citing police and local officials say Lah tested positive for the virus and was hospitalized. When he tested negative, he was discharged and then quarantined, in line with health regulations.
The backlash against Lah has extended to the country's Christian community, who make up about 6 per cent of the population, after a photo was circulated online of the country's Christian vice-president, Henry Van Thio, meeting with Lah in early February.
Canada Latest News, Canada Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Canada Competition Bureau Hits Facebook With $9 Million PenaltyThe social media company says it doesn't agree with the bureau's conclusions that it misled Canadians.
Read more »
UN agency warns of fentanyl production threat in SE AsiaNarcotics police in Myanmar have seized a large amount of liquid fentanyl, providing the first evidence that the synthetic opioid is being produced in quantity in Southeast Asia's infamous Golden Triangle region.
Read more »
G7 finance ministers discuss accelerating economies as countries reopen: U.S. TreasuryG7 finance ministers discuss accelerating economies as countries reopen: U.S. Treasury GlobeBusiness
Read more »
Opinion: Let’s admit it - online education is a pale shadow of the real thingPolls show a majority of students consider online instruction inferior to physical gathering in classrooms and lecture halls
Read more »