Contact: Katherine Cason, 267-210-8278, Katherine@ChinaAid.org; Washington, D.C. Contact: Jenny McCloy, 202-213-0506, Jenny@ChinaAid.org; www.ChinaAid.org, www.MonitorChina.org

SHAANXI, China, Aug. 8 /Standard Newswire/ -- On July 29, 2009, the Luonan People's Court of Shaanxi publically tried the case for Liu Caili, Huang Shumin, and Xu Fenying, leaders of Taochuan Christian Church who were arrested and detained by the Luonan County Public Security Bureau (PSB) on June 14. They were shown handcuffed on the Luonan TV Station. Later in the afternoon, the court heard the case for Zhang Miaoli of Taochuan Christian Church, who was arrested on June 19, and illegally detained for five days. Pastor "Bike", Zhang Mingxuan, President of the Chinese House Church Alliance, attended the trials as a visitor. Members of Taochuan Christian Church are praying for the lawful resolution in this case and for renewed freedom to worship together.

Photo: Taochuan Christian Church leaders were shown handcuffed on local TV. See video at www.youtube.com/watch?v=HzuoKENo6DQ.  

Between June 2 and June 14, Luonan County authorities formally abolished Taochuan Christian Church, illegally searched the property, imposed a fine, detained and interrogated members of the church and banned them from assembling to worship. After seizing  Liu Caili, Huang Shumin and  Xu Fenying on June 14, 2009, the Luonan County PSB officers televised them in handcuffs being escorted by police. (Watch video.)  Xu Fenying was released on June 19 after five days of detention, and  Liu Caili and  Huang Shumin were released at at 8:30 a.m. on June 24 after serving 10 days of detention. Zhang Miaoli’s arrest and five-day detention followed on June 19th.

To address these violations, on June 22, 2009 the four persecuted Christians entrusted Attorney Wu Chenglian, to submit their administrative lawsuit to the Luonan People's Court of Shaanxi. They sued for the following:

• The repeal of the administrative penalty enacted by the Luonan County Public Security Bureau
   
• The return of the seized books and fines
   
• Compensation for the lawsuit expenses accrued throughout the case and any losses due to the abolishment
   
• A public apology to the defendants issued by the Luonan County Public Security Bureau broadcast by the Luonan TV Station

Pastor Bike was hopeful after witnessing these public trials. "I believe the Luonan Court will handle this case with fair judgment, and the government will change the erroneous views and mentality of the religious department of Luonan through the law." He says hopes that all Christians in China will continue to follow the holy will of God, abide by the laws and the regulations of the state and protect their freedom of belief and human rights in accordance with law. Pastor Bike further encourages Chinese Christians to urge the public security departments and the departments in charge of religious affairs to correct their illegal conduct and bring God’s blessings to the nation.

ChinaAid resolutely supports the members of Taochuan Christian Church in their brave actions to protect their freedom of belief according to the law. ChinaAid urges the police officers who are persecuting the Christians to repent, and encourages supporters of religious freedom to speak out for justice and freedom on behalf of the persecuted Christians.

Contact the following government authorities in Shaanxi and urge they allow Taochuan Church to worship freely, and compensate and publically apologize to Huang Sumin, Liu Caili, Xu Fenying and Zhang Miaoli.

Ambassador Zhou Wenzhong
3505 International Place, NW, Washington, D.C. 20008
Tel: (202) 495-2000
Fax: (202) 588-9760

Watch video of Huang Sumin, Liu Caili and Xu Fenying being escorted in handcuffs that was shown on the local TV station after the Christians were arrested at:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=HzuoKENo6DQ

NOTE: If you are a citizen of another country, please click here to find the contact information of the Chinese embassy in your own nation www.fmprc.gov.cn/eng/wjb/zwjg/2490/.  

ChinaAid grants permission to reproduce photos and/or information for non-fundraising purposes, with the provision that www.ChinaAid.org is credited. Please contact: Katherine@ChinaAid.org with questions or requests for further information.