Elderly House Church Leader Arrested in Henan
by Staff
February 26, 2009
HENAN, (christiansunite.com) -- Yuan Shenlun, a coal miner in his 70's, was arrested on the afternoon of December 31, 2008 when he went to pick up books and CDs at a storage center. He was placed in criminal detention until January 20, 2009 when he was formally arrested, accused of "using an evil cult organization to obstruct justice."On December 31, Yuan received a phone call from a person he did not know, requesting that he pick up 100 sets of "Watchman Nee's Collective Works" and six sermon VCDs. When he went to the storage center to pick up the materials, Public Security Bureau (PSB) officers were waiting for him. He is being held at No. 1 Detention Center of Pingdingshan City, Henan. A Christian lawyer will represent him in court.
Yuan was previously arrested in 1983 and served 14 years in prison, accused of being part of the Christian "Shouter" sect in the first Chinese government "Strike Hard" campaign. After his release, he continued in his evangelical faith in the house church movement. Yuan Shenlun's wife is ill and his imprisonment prevents him from caring for her.
Contact Pendingshan City authorities and request the immediate release of Yuan Shenlun:
Public Security Bureau: +86-375-2922270
Religious Affairs Bureau: +86-375-2662518
City Legal Affairs Office: +86-375-2665556 or +86-375- 2665557
Fax: +86-375-2665896
E-mail: hnpdsic@126.com
