Release International

Three house church leaders want to sue the Chinese government over the way they were arrested and had their property confiscated.

Pastor Dong Quanqu and his wife Li Huage from Henan province have yet to hear if their case against the local Public Security Bureau can go to court. But Zhi Ruiping, who lives in Inner Mongolia, has had her case accepted and the trial will be heard at the People's Court of Duolun County soon.

Dong Quanqu and his wife were both detained for 10 days after a raid on their house church on March 6. The couple claim the police burst in without showing the proper ID; they also claim irregularities in the way they confiscated property including computers, Bibles and cash. None of these possessions has so far been returned.

Zhi Ruiping was arrested on December 29 and held for 15 days, for allegedly organising a Christmas celebration without registering it. She is demanding that the government pay a token one yuan in compensation, plus her legal fees.

China Aid says it has been supporting all three complainants with legal and financial aid.

• Thank God for the courage of these three leaders in standing up for their religious rights. Pray their suits will be successful.
• Pray that the Chinese authorities will rethink their policies in the light of these cases.

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