Pastor imprisoned for contact with U.S. officials released

Wen Xiaowu

(Photo: China Aid)

China Aid
By Brynne Lawrence

Updated at 3:59 p.m. CDT on Sept. 9, 2016


(Wenzhou, Zhejiang—Sept. 9, 2016) China Aid confirmed the release of a pastor in China’s coastal Zhejiang province yesterday evening after four months of imprisonment.

Wen Xiaowu, a pastor in Rui’an, was originally detained on April 25 with his wife, Xiang Lihua, and their eldest son, Wen “Eden” Yidian, after contacting U.S. Consulate officials and foreign journalists. Two days later, Wen Xiaowu and Xiang were officially charged with “gathering a crowd to disturb social order” and criminally detained. Wen Yidian was taken into police custody the same night and accused of “obstructing public service” for resisting his parents’ arrest.

According to the stipulations of his release, Wen still must serve six months under “residential surveillance.”

Wen’s family wishes to thank the international community for advocating for his release and says that they believe “persistent, focused and high-level pressure” works well when confronting China on human rights issues.

China Aid exposes religious freedom abuses, such as those suffered by Wen Xiaowu and his family, in order to stand in solidarity with persecuted Christians and will continue reporting on this case as more information becomes available.


ChinaAid Media Team
Cell: (432) 553-1080 | Office: 1+ (888) 889-7757 | Other: (432) 689-6985
Email: [email protected]
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Pastor imprisoned for contact with U.S. officials released

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