China Aid Association
(Midland, Texas-November 5, 2005) CAA learned that the long-awaited verdict for jailed Beijing house church leader is set to be announced Tuesday, November 8, 2005. The legal team for Pastor Cai’s received formal notification the afternoon of November 5. The presiding judge, You Tao, asked defense lawyers to appear and receive the verdict at 9am (Beijing Time) in Court Room No. 6 of the Haidian District People’s Court, Beijing. According to some legal experts who are familiar with this case, a verdict before US President Bush’s visit to Beijing may be a positive sign for this case. Pastor Cai, his wife Ms. Xiao Yunfei along with Xiao’s two other relatives, Mr. Xiao Gaowen and Ms. Hu Jinyun, may receive a lighter sentence than anticipated even if the government refuses to free them. The four were arrested in September, 2004 and had their first court hearing in July, 2005. They were charged with alleged “illegal business practices” for printing and distributing thousands of copies of the Bible and other Christian literature including a house church magazine called AI YAN (Love Feast). This case caught international attention and represents the government’s newest tactic to suppress religious freedom in the name of “economic crimes.” All of the defendants in their first trial recanted confessions which were coerced through police abuse and torture. “We will watch the verdict closely,” said Bob Fu, President of CAA and a former coworker of Pastor Cai. “We urge the immediate release of Pastor Cai and his family members.” Letters and phone calls of protest can be sent to Cai’s detention center and the court: at the following addresses: Judge You Tao, Telephone number +86-10-62697101People’s Court of HaidianDistrict, Ja No. 8, Nan Dajie, Zhongguancun, Beiijng,PRC 10080
Director of the Detention Center
Mr. Bai Gang
Tel: +86-10-62902266 ext. 3502 Beeper: +86-10-62628566 beeper ext. 5339
Qinghe Detention Center, No. 25,
Longgang Road, Haidian District, Beijing City (zip code: 100085)
Journalists are welcome to interview the following legal representatives for this case:
Mr. Gao Zhisheng (???) +86-10-81990759 Email: [email protected]
Mr. Guo Feixiong (???) Cellphone: +86-13552499429 Tel: 10-64118439
Email: [email protected]
Mr. Chen Yongmiao (???) Email: [email protected]
Mr. Wang Yi (??) Email: [email protected]
Mr. Teng Biao (?? ) [email protected]
Mr. Fan Yafeng (???) [email protected]
Mr. Zhang Xingshui (???)
Mr. Xu Zhiyong ( ???)
Mr. Jin Xiaoguang ( ???) Issued by China Aid Association, Inc. November 5, 2005
