Release International

Nine Christians in China's Henan province have been detained for helping people affected by the devastating Sichuan earthquake.

Seven were arrested during a raid on a house church in Taikang County on June 1 and were interrogated about who would be taking donations to the quake zone.

A woman and her child were later released but six people remain in custody, on charges of 'sending money to a disaster area in the name of a house church', according to China Aid. They have been told they will be released on payment of a 1,000 Yuan fine (about £72).

Five days earlier, two other Christians were seized in Hua County on charges of obstructing the relief effort by 'religious inciting'. Both have since been released but one was reported to have paid a 500 Yuan fine – plus 4,000 Yuan in 'gifts' to officials.

Meanwhile, in Xinjiang province, the trial of Uyghur Christian Alimjan Yimit on May 27 ended suddenly with the judges deciding that the case should be sent back to Public Security Bureau prosecutors due to 'insufficient evidence'.

The Kashi District Intermediate People's Court took just six-and-a-half hours to reach its decision. Alimjan has been accused of having separatist sympathies and of leaking state secrets overseas (7x7, May 27 2008).

A US delegation is thought to have raised Alimjan's case with the Chinese authorities on a recent visit, amid widespread media coverage of his plight. Alimjan, a former Muslim who is now a house church leader, remains in detention.

Pray that Alimjan's case will now be dropped. Pray for him and his young family.

Ask God to bless the nine Christians detained for trying to help quake survivors.

Back to top