Release International

Uyghur house church leader Alimjan Yimit is still languishing in jail in Xinjiang province and awaiting a new court date – ten months after his arrest.

A court returned Alimjan's case to state prosecutors in May, citing insufficient evidence (7x7, June 10, 2008). China Aid reports that prosecutors presented the case again in October. Court officials have refused to make public details of the case – but Compass Direct news agency reports that further legal action is expected imminently. Alimjan's dark hair is said to have started to go grey since he was taken into custody on January 12.

Charges against Alimjan include 'inciting secessionist sentiment to split the country' and 'collecting and selling intelligence for overseas organisations'. Alimjan's wife Gulnur insists that her husband, an agricultural worker and church leader, had no access to such information. Friends too say that Alimjan is being persecuted for his faith.

Meanwhile, in Henan, Pastor Zhu Baoguo has been sentenced to one year in a labour camp for leading an 'evil cult'. His family have not yet been told where he is being held.

(Sources: China Aid, Compass Direct)

Pray for the swift release of Alimjan Yimit. Ask God to comfort his wife Gulnur.

Pray for Pastor Zhu Baoguo – who is said to have heart disease – and his family.

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