Release International

A prominent house church leader who has been in custody for 16 months has had his verdict deferred, after a judge decided to refer his case to another court.

Pastor Zhang Rongliang had hoped a court hearing on April 6 would end his trial. He is charged with 'obtaining a passport through cheating' and 'crossing a border illegally'.

But the Zhongmu City People's Court is to seek legal advice from the Zhengzhou City Intermediate People's Court. The Zhongmu court found that there was 'insufficient evidence and ambiguous facts' in the case, according to documentation passed between the two courts. RI sources say that a verdict may still be returned this month.

Zhang, a key leader of the China for Christ movement, was arrested by police in Henan Province in December 2004 -- but was not charged until several months later.

The 55-year-old, who suffers from diabetes and high blood pressure, has reportedly spent most of his time in hospital since December 19, 2005. One witness reported seeing him handcuffed and chained to his hospital bed, according to Compass Direct.

Twelve months is usually the maximum sentence in China for anyone found using a false passport. The authorities often refuse passports to well-known house church leaders. Before his arrest in 2004, Zhang had spent a total of 12 years in jail for his religious activities. 'Why are we house church Christians being treated like second-class citizens in our own country?' said Zhang's wife, Chen Hongxian, in a recent interview.

Meanwhile, friends and supporters of Pastor Gong Shengliang, leader of the South China Church, have filed an appeal for medical parole to the Chinese prison authorities. They have also asked the UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention to help secure his release. Gong, who is serving a life sentence for alleged assault, rape and illegal cult activities, is in extremely poor health after torture.

• Pray for the release of Zhang Rongliang, who is wrestling with serious health problems as well as an apparent injustice. Pray for his wife and family too, that they would know God's all-pervasive peace.
• Ask God to strengthen and sustain Pastor Gong Shengliang, who has endured brutal persecution in jail since his arrest in 2001.

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