Penalty document issued by PSB Sichuan Province. Photo: Christian Newswire
Sichuan Church Faces Government Persecution; 20 Arrested, 7 Detained, 2 Sentenced to Education Through Labor
SICHUAN, China, June 24 /Christian Newswire/ -- China Aid Association has learned that at approximately 3 p.m. on Saturday, March 29, 2008, as more than 50 house church members gathered at a residence on Bei Street, Qujiang Township, Qu County of Sichuan Province, they were raided by more than 20 Public Security Bureau officials, Homeland Security Defense Brigade, the local police station, Office for Religious Affairs and cadres from neighborhood committees. The officials failed to show law enforcement identifications. The house church members were accused of "engaging in cult activities through an illegal gathering." Seven women were immediately taken away, while officials confiscated Bibles, books and other objects. Among the people taken away, Zhou Yanying, Zhang Mingxiu, and Yan Zelie were sentenced to five days of administrative detention; Luo Qinghua was acquitted after a detention of 17 days; Wang Qingxiu, the head of the church, was accused of "undermining the implementation of the state law and regulations by utilizing a cult organization" and was sentenced to one year of education through labor on April 29.
On the second day, 10 members of the same house church met at 9 a.m. on Sunday March 30 to discuss the detentions and sentencing. The members were gathered at the residence of Ms. Li Xianbi located in Bei Street of Qujiang Township, when they were again raided by 20 PSB officials, Homeland Security Defense Bureau, the local police station, Office for Religious Affairs and cadres from the neighborhood committee. The officials again failed to show law enforcement identifications. The members were also accused of "engaging in cult activities through an illegal gathering." Officials immediately detained nine women, including Lei Shibi, Wan Chaobi and four children. Bibles, books, personal bags and other objects were confiscated. Among the members involved, Yan Chuanfang, Yu Liyu and Li Xianbi were sentenced to five days of administrative detention; Xiao Yu was released pending trial after being detained for 12 days; Li Chixia, the head of the group, was accused of "undermining the implementation of the state law and regulations by utilizing a cult organization", and has been sentenced to one year of education through labor on April 29.
3mnewswire.org
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