China: Hua Huiqi evicted from his home

Beijing activist and house church leader Hua Huiqi has been evicted from his home amid rumours that officials want to keep him away from next month’s Olympic Games.

Public Security Bureau officers used a hammer to break into Hua’s rented flat and threw the family – including Hua’s 90-year-old father, Hua Zaichen – into the street with their furniture. Hua’s brother sustained serious injury to his eye after officials beat him.

Hua’s elderly mother, Shuang Shuying, remains in Beijing’s women’s jail, serving a two-year sentence on disputed charges of ‘damaging government property’. Officials have told Hua she will be freed if he gives up his human rights work and church activities.

The Voice of the Martyrs Canada reports that the authorities have expressed their intention either to detain Hua during the Games, ‘until September 20’, or remove him and his family from Beijing. The family is currently staying with Christian friends.

Hua and his mother were arrested last year after Hua petitioned the National People's Congress over people being evicted by force without adequate compensation. He was jailed for six months, his mother for two years. Hua’s family has been harassed systematically ever since.

Meanwhile, in Shandong, Pastor Zhang Zhongxin has been sentenced to two years’ ‘re-education through labour’ for taking part in ‘cult activities’. Pastor Zhang is reported to have been involved in a wide range of church activities, from preaching to training. His appeal is due to come up before the Jiaxiang County Detention Centre on August 14.

(Sources: Assist News Service, China Aid, The Epoch Times, The Voice of the Martyrs Canada)

Pray for Hua Huiqi and his whole family. Ask God to protect and sustain them, particularly during the Olympic Games, when officials will keep a close eye on so-called dissidents.

Pray that Pastor Zhang Zhongxin’s appeal on August 14 will be successful.