Beijing House Church activist Hua Huiqi secretly sentenced to 6 months imprisonment
by Michael Ireland
June 12, 2007
BEIJING, CHINA / MIDLAND. TEXAS (ANS) -- Beijing house church activist Hua Huiqi was secretly sentenced to 6 months in prison on June 4, 2007. Neither his wife nor his lawyer Mr. Li Dunying were allowed to attend the court trial which lasted about 2 hours from 1:30pm to 3:30pm at Chayang District People's Court. According to China Aid Association (CAA), Hua was formally arrested by Beijing Public Security Bureau Chaoyang Branch on February 8, 2007 with the approval of Chaoyang District Prosecutor on the charge of obstruction of justice. Hua's wife received the official notice from the police on February 10, 2007.
CAA says Hua had been under criminal detention on the charge of intervening public affairs since January 26. He and his mother were beaten by police from Chaoyang Police Branch, The police even poured 20 degree temperature cold water over him.
Hua's mother, 76-year-old Ms. Shuang Shuying, was formally arrested on February 9, 2007 on the charge of willfully damaging public and private property. Shuang Shuying was sentenced to two years by Beijing Chongwen District People's Court on February 26, 2007 on the charge of willfully damaging public and private property.
Hua, who is an active house church Christian in Beijing, is expected to be released next month. He has been passionately serving the ministry and assisting many persecuted Christians and oppressed peasants.
"Though the sentence is shorter than anticipated, yet this is not a fair trial," said Bob Fu who is a former coworker of Hua. "We urge the Chinese government to release both Mr. Hua and his mother in the spirit of 2008 Beijing Olympics."
Concerned Christians may address their letter of concern to:
Premier Wen Jiabao, PRC
PO Box 1741, The State Council, Beijing, PRC (zip code 100017)
Contact Phone'+86-10-66012399
Ms. Wu Aiying, minister of Ministry of Justice of PRC
Tel:+86-10-65205114
Fax:+86-10-64729863
Address'No. 10, Nan Da Jie, Chaoyangmen, Beijing City (Zip Code: 100020)
© 2007 ASSIST News Service, used with permission.
