Chinese human rights lawyer missing again
by Staff
May 26, 2010
(christiansunite.com) - Gao Zhisheng, a Christian human rights lawyer released by Chinese officials on April 6 (see www.persecution.net/cn-2010-04-15b.htm for more information), has again gone missing. Gao -- initially seized from his home in Shaanxi province on February 4, 2009 and held incommunicado by security officials for 13 months -- was permitted to phone family members and colleagues in late March.
Officials finally returned him to his Beijing apartment in April. Gao reportedly intended to travel to Urumqi within days of his release to visit his in-laws, and witnesses saw him leaving his apartment and getting into a vehicle parked outside his building sometime between April 9 and 12. Gao's father-in-law reportedly confirmed that Gao arrived at his home with an escort of four police officers but spent just one night there before police took him away again.
Gao phoned his father-in-law shortly before he was due to board a flight back to Beijing on April 20. He promised to call again after returning home but failed to do so.
Bob Fu, President of VOM partner ChinaAid, has stated that Gao is "definitely in the hands of Chinese security forces." He believes that international pressure forced authorities to allow Gao a brief re-appearance to prove that he was alive before officials seized him again to prevent information leaking out about his experiences over the past year. (Source: Compass Direct)
Thank the Lord that He knows the whereabouts and conditions of Gao and that He is caring for him. If Gao is detained, pray that authorities will soon release him. Pray for Gao's wife and children during these uncertain times. You can post a prayer of solidarity with Gao and his family by visiting www.persecution.net/prayerwall.
Visit www.persecution.net/china.htm to find out more about persecution in China.
