8/09/2006

Five Christians Receive Arrest Notifications from Xiaoshan Zhejiang Police
Three Christians Suffer Broken Ribs in Prison Christian reporter fired after commenting on the incident

MIDLAND, Texas, Aug. 9 /Christian Newswire/ -- China Aid Association learned August 8, that after two weeks of detention the police finally issued five of the fifty Christians who were arrested during the Dangshan church demolition in Xiaoshan, Zhejiang Province, formal notification of “criminal detention.” The five are accused of “interfering with duty of police officers.” Two of the five have decided to engage Mr. Sun Hongye, Dr. Li Baiguang and Mr. Zhang Xingshui as their defense lawyers.

CAA also learned that the Christians were cruelly tortured during interrogation. The methods are very brutal according to the descriptions of Christians who have been released. At least three suffered broken ribs. Female Christians were forced to strip in public.

The family members of these Christians not only endured the pain of their relatives’ arrests but the police searched some of their homes and confiscated their property.

According to statistics, as of August 8th, among the 50 + Christians arrested during the Dangshan church demolition in Xiaoshan, Zhejiang, more than 20 have been released, 5 have been informed of “criminal detention” which means they will very likely face lawsuits. More than 20 are still locked up without any formal charges.

Christians in Xiaoshan said the level of persecution has surpassed that during the Cultural Revolution, and is the most serious in the Xiaoshan churches’ 140 year history. The Xiaoshan churches have engaged “The Association of Human Rights Attorneys for Chinese Christians” as their legal representatives for all of the lawsuits. Dr. Fan Yafeng and Dr. Li Baiguang, members of The Association of Human Rights Attorneys for Chinese Christians, have arrived at Xiaoshan, and are investigating the incident.

According to reliable sources, the government of Zhejiang Province is planning to demolish two other churches in Shaoxing City, Zhejiang Province, we appeal to the international media to pressure the Zhejiang government to stop violating the constitutional right of religious freedom in China.

Newest information acquired by CAA: Zan Aizong, a Christian reporter in Zhejiang, has been fired from his position at a government newspaper office because of a published comment he made about the Xiaoshan incident. This firing has not been made public.

The five Christians who received formal notification of “criminal detention” are:

• Gao Guorong, male, 39 years, from Shaoxing City, has engaged Mr. Zhang Xingshui and Li Baiguang as his lawyers.

• Wang Qiming, male, has engaged Mr. Sun Hongye as his lawyer.

• Shen Jian, male

• Shen Juke, female Wang Enli, female

The three Christians who suffered broken ribs are:

• Wang Xingpu, 3 broken ribs, released

• Yang Youguang, 1 broken rib, still in detention

• Li Jianen, 1 broken rib, still in detention

The Christians whose houses were searched are:

• Shen Jian

• Feng Guangliang

This press release is available in Chinese at www.ChinaAid.org