China: Beijing bookstore owner's hopes of release dashed again

The family of Beijing bookstore owner Shi Weihan face yet another agonising wait after a judge deferred a verdict on his case.

Shi, a well-known house church leader, has been held on suspicion of 'illegal distribution of Bibles and Christian literature' since March 2008 – but the judge at Haidian District Court declined to rule on Shi's case at a hearing on April 9.

On two other occasions, trial judges have ruled that there was 'insufficient evidence' to convict him. At this latest hearing on April 9, Shi's lawyer made a three-hour defence of Shi's innocence, stressing that his business practices posed no threat to law and order.

Meanwhile, the authorities in Xinjiang province have released Uyghur house church leader Lou Yuanqi after holding him for more than a year. Officially he was 'bailed, awaiting trial' – a legal procedure which prevents him from suing the authorities for illegal detention. He was detained in May 2008 on charges of 'using superstition to undermine the law' (7x7, March 24, 2009).

Uyghur Christian Alimjan Yimit, detained on suspicion of 'leaking state secrets abroad' in January 2008, was allowed a visit from his lawyer on April 21. Alimjan's family have been very concerned since he was seen being escorted to hospital by prison personnel (7x7, April 7, 2009). His lawyer said Alimjan was 'happy' – but could not talk about his health.

(Sources: BosNewsLife, ChinaAid)

• Pray for the immediate release of Shi Weihan and Alimjan Yimit.

• Thank you for praying for Lou Yuouqi and thank God that he has been freed.