Release International

Campaigners fighting to save three church leaders from execution say that a retrial has not raised fresh hopes they can be saved.

China Aid reports that Xu Shuangfu, Li Maoxing and Wang Jun of the Three Grades of Servants church were summoned to appear before the Heilongjiang Higher People's Court late last month, together with 12 other church members.

China Aid says it is 'very possible' that this second court will not overturn sentences handed down at a first trial in Shuangyashan Intermediate People's Court in July. A total of 16 church members were given long jail terms or death sentences for their alleged complicity in the murder of members of the Eastern Lightening cult. Xu was also charged with fraud. Only 15 of the 16 appealed for a second trial. Defence lawyers continue to
argue their clients' innocence.

The verdict from this second trial is due in mid-December. This means defendants will be denied -- by just two or three weeks -- the hope offered by a new legal amendment which comes into force in January. This new legislation will allow the Chinese Supreme Court to overturn a death sentence issued by a provincial court.

• Pray that the three death sentences will be overturned by the second trial judge and other sentences will be dramatically reduced or quashed.
• Pray for these Christians and their families as they await the verdict next month.

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