November 25 2009
Last Update: December 9, 2009
SHANXI–ChinaAid just learned that the trial of Linfen house church leaders in Shanxi province was held from 9:00 AM to about 10:00 PM on November 25 (Beijing time), lasting over 12 hours. Pastors Yang Rongli, Wang Xiaoguang, Yang Xuan, Cui Jiaxing, and Zhang Huamei have been been held in detention since their unwarranted arrests on Friday, September 25, 2009, when they attempted to travel to Beijing an lodge a formal complaint about the destruction of their church to the Central governing authorities. Their trial was held in the No. 12 Trial Room at People’s Court of Raodu District, Linfen City, Shanxi province.
The verdicts were severe and were announced immediately following the trial. Two criminal charges were used– the crime of “illegally occupying farming land” and “disturbing transportation order by gathering masses.” Sister Yang Rongli received 7 years severe sentence for both charges; Pastor Wang 3 yrs for the first charge, brother Yang Xuan, 3 and a half years, and Cui Jiaxing earned 5 and a half years for the first charge; Sister Zhang Huamei was found guilty of the second charge, and sentenced to 4 years in prison.
The Court’s conduct throughout the trial clearly indicated the government had decided upon the verdict and prepared it in advance. There were only two 20 minutes breaks for recess, and only four family members of the convicted prisoners were allowed to be present during the trial. Government prosecutors showed over 1000 pages of so-called “evidence materials” related to this case, but the defense lawyers were only allowed to review about 50 pages before the trial to prepare their defense. The six Christian rights defense lawyers, including reknowned Attorneys Li Fangping (Simon) and Zhang Kai (Kevin), presented a very clear and satisfactory defense of the innocence of the five church leaders. Three of the accused church leaders were seen in excellent spirit with clear mind, when the lawyers’ were presenting their case.
Read Yang Rongli’s Defense Statement by Attorney Wang Hongjie, presented on Nov. 25, 2009.
Sister Yang Rongli and Pastor Wang Xiaoguang’s son was able to briefly chat with his parents during one recess time near the bathroom outside the court room. Sister Yang and Pastor Wang encouraged their son to stand firm in his faith in Christ. Yang and Wang have led the Fushan church, part of the 50,000 members house church network in Linfen and the surrounding villages, for more than 30 years. The Fushan Church leaders unwarranted arrests, detentions, and severe sentences after the massive church destruction on September 13, marks one of the worst crackdown on house church leaders in the past decade.
“To punish an innocent house church leader for 7 years’ imprisonment is the most serious sentence since 2004 when the senior Henan house church leader pastor Zhang Rongliang received a similar length,” said ChinaAid President Bob Fu. “We strongly condemn these unjust sentences, which are based on trumpeted charges. This case clearly shows the serious deteriorating situation of religious perseution in China. We call upon the Obama administration and international communiy to speak up unequivocally its concern about this case.”
ChinaAid will continue to provide necessary support legally and materially for the defense of these innocent house church leaders and their family members. We condemn the unjust and unfair actions of the Linfen Courts, and urge the leaders to reevaluate the case, and honor the basic rights of leaders Yang Rongli, Wang Xiaoguang, Yang Xuan, Cui Jiaxing, and Zhang Huamei to worship freely, and lead others in worship without harassment.
We call on the international community to call on their leaders to take a strong stance in defense of religious freedom in China–the basic freedom which guarantees every other human right.
UPDATE 12/9/2009–After receiving the Photocopy of the Linfen Church Verdict paper, ChinaAid corrected the sentence for Cui Jiaxing: He was sentenced to 5.5 years in prison, not 4.5, and was fined 50,000 Yuan. Other Linfen Leaders received fines as well. Watch for more updates.