(Suining, Sichuan province) City police arrested three Christian women on suspicion of “fraud.” Li Bingrong, Xie Lihong, and Huang Qiuyan from Suining City, Sichuan Province were criminally detained on May 18.
Cause unknown
Their families received the notice of criminal detention the day after the arrest. The official notice stated the suspected charge and location of the Suining City Detention Center. The cause of the arrest is still unknown. Reportedly, all three worked for a bank and helped deposit and transfer donations for a Christian organization. This may be connected to their arrest.
Prayer Requests
Their arrest was first revealed by an anonymous public prayer request letter. In the letter, the author urged fellow Christians to pray. “Pray for God to show mercy on them. Pray for God to be with their families. Pray for God to wipe away their tears, relieve their fear and sorrow, and give them heavenly peace.”
Photos: Li Bingrong’s family and Huang Qiuyan’s family received criminal detention notices, respectively (ChinaAid source)
“Fraud” charges across China
Fraud cases have continued to be a trend of persecution against house church Christians. Communist Party officials charged many pastors and lay believers with fraud for having tithes and offerings. As religious freedom continues to strain, authorities are trying everything they can to limit house churches in China.
~Yu Bing, China Aid Special Reporter