Human rights lawyers persecuted during China’s “709” crackdown to defend Elder Zhang Chunlei and Guiyang Ren’ai Reformed Church

Lawyer Sui said:

Police held Ms. Yang in handcuffs and leg irons during her detention. Questions during the interrogation focused on a Christian’s belief, and church operations. None related to the fabricated “fraud” charge. The purported summons and interrogation appeared to aim to frighten Ms. Yang by threatening and persecuting her.   

Lawyer Zhao Qingshan arrives at Guiyang on April 23.

(Photo: ChinaAid source)

Lawyers defending church co-workers and Christians arrived at Guiyang one after another. Elder Zhang’s legal team includes Lawyer Zhao Qingshan, Lawyer Wang Yu, Lawyer Bao Longjun, and Lawyer Sui Muqing. The defense team plans to apply for administrative reconsideration and sue Yunyan District police for framing and persecuting Elder Zhang Chunlei, and others. Another lawyer Elder Zhang appointed to defend him will travel to Guiyang soon.

The Guangdong government rescinded Lawyer Sui Muqing’s legal license one day before the 2018 Chinese New Year. Authorities rescinded Lawyer Bao Longjun’s legal license since his arrest. Officials rescinded Lawyer Zhao Qingshan’s legal license after he became the defense lawyer for Chengdu Early Rain Covenant Church’s deacon, Ge Yingfeng.

Most lawyers for Elder Zhang and Guiyang Renai Reformed Church have arrived at Guiyang and started working on the Renai Reformed Church’s case. Chinese Communist Party (CCP) authorities have constrained Lawyer Wang Yu and her husband, Lawyer Bao Longjun in Maoming, Guangdong Province.

On April 23, Maoming Intermediate Court issued an illegal verdict against Niu Tengyu and others. Ms. Wang Yu and Mr. Bao travelled to Maoming to defend them. National security agents responsible for monitoring the couple also travelled there, where they regained control over the couple. CCP authorities will not allow Ms. Wang, and Mr. Bao, in danger of being arrested, to travel back to Beijing or any other place in the PRC. Nor, due to their phone numbers failing to function properly, can they make phone calls. 

~ Report by Yubing, ChinaAid special correspondent

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But let all those rejoice who put their trust in You; 

Let them ever shout for joy, 

because You defend them; 

Let those also who love Your name 

Be joyful in You.

                                                                                        ~ Psalm 5:11 (NKJV)

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