(Guiyang, China) Zhang Chunlei, the imprisoned elder of Ren’ai Reformed Church, was sent to Sanjiang hospital. He started receiving treatment in early August, but there has been no update on his condition in the last 10 days.
Eight months since trial
Elder Zhang suffered a bout of cholecystitis in prison recently, and the prison sent him for gallbladder treatment. To date, it has been more than eight months since the trial of Elder Zhang Chunlei, and his family has not yet received a verdict.
Zhang’s arrest
On Sunday, May 12, 2019, the local government banned Guiyang Ren’ai Reformed Church Then, on March 16, 2021, the Church suffered another severe impact, with many Christians arrested and their homes raided. Elder Zhang went to the police station to learn more about the situation and was immediately detained. His case took many turns until the official indictments: so-called fraud and inciting subversion of state power.
Elder Zhang Chunlei made it clear that his beliefs were innocent and that these trumped-up charges were persecution and suppression of his religious beliefs.
Trial
Last November, Guiyang Intermediate People’s Court heard Elder Zhang Chunlei’s case. Although Elder Zhang Chunlei’s wife, Yang Aiqing, applied in advance to attend the trial, the court refused. The trial lasted more than six hours with many guards outside the courthouse. According to some security personnel at the scene, they had never seen such a grand occasion.
Condition in Prison
Even though imprisoned, Elder Zhang Chunlei is in a very good spiritual state. He told his attorney that he had never slept so much, and that he had very good rest in the detention center. For a long time, Zhang has been healthy and optimistic, but this sudden bout of cholecystitis triggered his family’s concern about his life in prison.
~Lemon, Special Correspondent of ChinaAid
