18 Christians Arrested, 16 Still In Prison In Henan

[joanne_h]

Contact: Katherine Cason, 267-210-8278, [email protected]; Washington, D.C. Contact, Jenny McCloy, 202-213-0506, [email protected]; www.ChinaAid.org, www.MonitorChina.org HENAN, China, May 4 /Christian Newswire/ -- On April 30, 2009, a group of house church Christians and leaders from the house church group China Gospel Fellowship (CGF) were gathered for a communion service at a house church in Xinye city, Henan province, when they were raided by a dozen PSB officers. Eighteen Christians were taken to the Public Security Bureau (PSB) office of Xinye city. They were each forced to pay a 1000 yuan (about $150) fine. At the time of this press release, 16 Christians are still being held by the PSB, including 10 preachers from Hubei province. The imprisoned preachers are: Wang Donggui, Yang Chengqun, GuoDaying, Hao Xuecheng, Lun Zhidian, Lian Fengmei, Chen Mingao, Ren Zhiai, Zhai Laoxue and Zhai Jinai. Contact the following Public Security Bureau officials and request the 16 Christians immediately be released: Mr. Shi Zhengxian, Deputy Director of PSB: +86-377-66222611-35068 (office) Mr. Chen Xiaogang, Leader of PSB Special Squad +86-13838748167 (cell phone) ChinaAid grants permission to reproduce photos and/or information for non-fundraising purposes, with the provision that www.ChinaAid.org is credited. Please contact [email protected] with questions or requests for further information.