Last Prisoner from Church Demolition in Zhejiang Released
Last Prisoner from Church Demolition in Zhejiang Released
ICC Note:
A Christian arrested for protesting the Chinese government’s forced demoliton of a church in Zhejiang province was granted an early release on March 4th after serving two years and seven months. Shen is the last of the eight who were arrested in July of 2006 to be released.
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6/18/09 China (ChinaAid) On March 4, Shen Zhuke, a Christian charged with protesting the government’s forced demolition of Dangshanwan Christian Church building in Xiaoshan, Zhejiang province, was given an early release from prison after serving two years and seven months.
On July 29, 2006, the Xiaoshan government demolished Dangshanwan Church on the grounds that it was in violation of some building codes. However, the real reason behind the demolition was to prevent the house church from meeting. After the demolition, Shen Zhuke, along with seven other Christians were detained, and held legally liable for organizing to build an illegal building and for inciting people to resist the implementation of the law. On December 22, 2006, Shen Zuke was sentenced to three years and six months by the Xiaoshan District Court of Hangzhou Municipality, and was imprisoned in Zhejiang Provincial Women’s Prison.
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At this time, all eight Christians who were arrested in the same case have been released from prison. The Christians are: Shen Zhuke, Shen Chengyi, Wang Weiliang, Ni Weimin, Guo Lijun, Shen Jianjian and Luo Bingliang. Four Christians, Shen Zhuke, Wang Weiliang, Feng Guangliang, Luo Bingliang, were sentenced to imprisonment ranging from one year to three years and six months. Shen Chengyi, Ni Weimin, Guo Lijun and Shen Jianjian were sentenced to one year to three years of probation.
The Dangshanwan Christian Church building that was demolished has still not been approved for rebuilding.