China: Authorities Condemned for Secret Court
Jun 12 2007
Postings >> China

Activists have condemned the Chinese authorities for using a secret court to convict Beijing house church leader Hua Huiqi.

Though the Chayang District People's Court gave Huiqi a six-month sentence -- much less than was feared -- campaigners continue to demand his immediate release or a fair trial. Neither his lawyer nor his wife was allowed to attend the two-hour trial on June 4.

Huiqi was charged with 'obstruction of justice' after he and his ailing mother Shuang Shuying were arrested as they walked through the Beijing Olympic village in January. She was given a two-year sentence on apparently trumped up charges. Both were beaten.

Hopes that China might relax its repressive policies towards Christians during next year's Olympics are fading. The Ministry of Public Security has reportedly issued a directive listing 43 categories of 'unwanteds' who are to be investigated and possibly barred from the games. Banned groups will include some unregistered churches. All Olympic participants including athletes are to be investigated on these grounds.

• Continue to pray for Huiqi and his mother. Pray that both will be released soon.
• Pray that the Olympics will prove a window of opportunity for China's church to grow while China is under the international spotlight.