Following an international outcry, most of the hundred Christian leaders arrested on July 12 in China's Xinjiang Autonomous Region have been released. According to VOM sources, five Christians remain in custody. They are: Mr. Zhao Xinlan, 50; Ms. Li Cuiling, 44; Mr. Wang Chaoyi, 39; Mr. Yang Tian Lu, 39; and Ms. Gao Rui'er, 28.
On August 11, the Persecution and Prayer Alert reported on the sentencing of three Christians for "illegally soliciting, providing national intelligence to overseas organizations" (click here for details). This week, China Aid was able to obtain a copy of the court documents outlining the reasons for their conviction. To view this document, click here. Chinese readers may wish to click here.
The Voice of the Martyrs has also received information that, following the arrest of more than one hundred Christians on August 6 (click here for details), other family members have also been arrested. The families of six of those arrested have also received formal notice of the "criminal detention" of their family members. Chinese law allows detentions for up to three years without formal charges.
Pray for spiritual and physical strength for all of those arrested. Pray that the international community will pressure the Chinese government to respect freedom of religious expression.
The Voice of the Martyrs has been active through its "Legal Defense Fund" in assisting the families of Chinese prisoners of faith with their legal fees as they seek to fight their unjust sentences. If you would like to help in this ministry, you can go to our secure donation page (click here) and designate your gift to VOM's "Legal Defense Fund." Thank you for your help in this way.
For more information on the persecution of the Chinese Church, click here.
Population
