Photo: Zhao Weikai and his family (ChinaAid source)
(Shanxi Province, China – January 3, 2023) On December 30, Zhao Weikai’s wife, Li Xin, received his verdict. The Court sentenced him to two years and a fine of ~$4,379 with the charge of “illegal holding of materials promoting terrorism and extremism.” The couple plans to appeal.
Police arrested Zhao on May 17, 2021, but he is not in good health as he suffers from liver disease. His wife Li Xin urges fellow Christians to pray to God to strengthen his health and faith and empower her to take care of their family.
Background
Zhao Weikai is a 36-year-old Christian and co-worker from Taiyuan Zion Reformed Church. He works closely with Minister An Yankui, a good friend from his early years. They served Zion Reformed together after graduating from seminary.
Illegal homeschooling
To protect their three children from being brainwashed Zhao and Li Xin homeschooled them. Consequently, several times in the past, officials from the Religious Affairs Bureau, Education Commission, and the National Security Agency threatened to arrest Brother Zhao and Sister Li. Zhao refused to compromise his beliefs, however, and continued to provide Christian education for his children in his home.
“extremist” materials
On May 17, 2021, police searched their property and confiscated more than 1,000 books, a computer, a hard drive, and a flash drive. They found documentaries of June 4th, 1989 Tiananmen Square Student Movement and Xinjiang riots on the hard drive. Authorities officially arrested Zhao Weikai on a charge of “illegally possessing terrorism and extremism items” in July.
Photo: Li Xin, the wife of Zhao Weikai, took photos with fellow Christians after she left the detention center (ChinaAid source)
The trial
The court held a pretrial conference on September 9, and a trial on December 15. As Zhao gave his testimony, the presiding judge interrupted him on the pretext that it was “not related” to the evidence in the case. Sister Li disclosed that seven strangers attended the trial and her husband looked well.
~Yu Bing, ChinaAid Contributing Reporter
