Attorney Met for the first time with Jailed Beijing Christian Businessman Shi Weihan; Serious Medical Condition Concerned Family Members

China Aid Association

Attorney Met for the first time with Jailed Beijing Christian Businessman Shi Weihan; Serious Medical Condition Concerned Family Members
Latest news from China Aid Association (April 25, 2008):
CAA Learned on Wednesday morning, the attorney of Mr. Shi Weihan, the leader of a Beijing house church who was released without a conviction and who was again arrested and persecuted on March 19, was finally able to meet his client Mr. Shi after long negotiations. Before this, Beijing Municipal Public Security Bureau had continuously refused to let the attorney get involved in his case and they even denied to tell the family where Mr. Shi was being held. At the time of the arrest, the police claimed that Shi Weihan was a “dangerous religious element.” Mr. Shi Weihan has been detained for over a month at Beijing Municipal Detention Center. Mr. Shi’s health is an extreme concern for his family as he is a diabetic. During the meeting, Mr. Shi’s talk was interrupted by the guards on several occasions and he received a warning. According to his attorney, Mr. Shi is in very bad health, and is suffering from skin irrations of unknown origin. He is in great need of medical treatment. However, the detention center authorities refused to provide the most basic humanitarian treatment and medications. According to the conversation with Mr. Shi, the police interrogators mainly focusesed on his relationship with the US. Officials are being careful to avoid admitting that this is a typical case of religious persecution. According to Bob Fu, head of China Aid Association: “This is another case of brazen trampling on religious freedom and the basic human right by the Chinese government as the Olympic Games draws near. This incident shows that the CPC has no fear or unsettled conscience in the face of the international community and denunciation. We hope the relevant authorities of Beijing will not bring fabricated charges related to state security on Shi Weihan, an influential house church leader.”
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Photo: Shi Weihan and Family Members

(Beijing- April 22, 2008) CAA has learned— Beijing bookstore owner, Shi Weihan has been re-arrested for publishing Bibles and Christian literature after he had been released in January due to “insufficient evidence.” Mr. Shi, a 37-year-old father of two, was re-arrested on March 19 and has been held without any family visits allowed, according to his wife Zhang Jing. Shi was first arrested on November 28, 2007, and held until January 4. His wife said she had received no word on her husband’s condition, and she has been prohibited from bringing him any food or change of clothing since his re-arrest. Zhang said she is “very concerned” about her husband’s health, as he has diabetes. Public Security Bureau officials have been known to use deprivation and torture to force detainees to reveal information about others. Another bookstore owner, Zhou Heng, was arrested and detained in Xinjiang province on August 3, 2007 for receiving a shipment of Bibles. Zhou revealed last week that he had been cleared of charges and released from prison on February 19.
To voice your concern over this contact:
Chinese Embassy in Washington DC
Address: 2201 Wisconsin Avenue,
N.W., Washington D.C. 20007
Tel: (202) 338-6688, (202)5889760
Fax: (202) 588-9760
Issued by CAA April 22, 2008