ChinaAid June 14, 2010
GUANGZHOU — Wang Dao, pastor of Liangren Church, was released on Sunday after being
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| Wang Dao (Wang Tongjiang) with his wife and daughter after release |
At 7pm Beijing time on June 13, 2010, Guangzhou Municipal Public Security Bureau sent Pastor Wang Dao home on bail to await his trial. His new charge, according to the Certificate of Release, is “hindering the administration of credit cards.” This is the fourth time authorities have changed the name of the charge against him. He was originally detained on suspicion of “gathering a mob to disrupt the public order.”
imprisoned May 9, 2010. He has endured arrest on arbitrary charges, threat of exile, and temporary denial of the right to meet with his lawyers.
Wang Dao has said that his case was founded in nothing more than religious persecution. Liangren Church, the house church he pastors, has also undergone unjust treatment. Aside from losing their pastor, they have been locked out of their rented building, forced to worship outdoors, ordered to disband from a peaceful meeting in a park, and evicted from another rented building.
Liangren Church members are gathered here with Pastor Wang Dao.
Despite their own problems, the Liangren church members did not forget their imprisoned pastor. They have been doing what they can to encourage him. On May 28, Wang Dao’s wife Sun said in a short phone interview, “Thank the Lord! Yesterday, Pastor Wang received the 1,000 yuan mailed to him on May 10. Now he can buy some daily necessities with the money. Every day, some of our brothers and sisters write letters and copy hymns from the Bible for him. One of our sisters even draws a picture for the pastor every day. She is concerned that the pastor may find the life inside the prison too boring, so she draws pictures for him to fight the boredom. She is also concerned whether the eyeglasses we bought for him fit, and we hope his eyes don’t get tired while looking at these pictures. The brothers and sisters are very considerate. I think Pastor Wang will be moved when he learns this.”
Wang Dao thanks the various churches, the international community, concerned fellow Christians, Attorney Li Baiguang and the other Christian human rights attorneys for their efforts on his behalf, leading to his release.
“We commend the right decision by the Guangdong authorities to release Pastor Wang Dao after the international outcries for his unjustified imprisonment,” said Bob Fu, president of China Aid Association. “We urge the Chinese government to allow pastor Wang and the Liangren house church members to exercise their constitutional and universal rights of religious freedom.”
ChinaAid joins Pastor Wang Dao and his family in expressing heartfelt gratitude for your support and prayers. Please continue to pray that the Guangzhou officials will drop the charges against Pastor Wang Dao, that his trial will be conducted with due process of law, and that Wang Dao and Liangren Church will stand fast in faith and love.
Wang Dao’s Certificate of Release – English
More about Wang Dao and Liangren Church:
Liangren Church Case Summary
Liangren House Church Documentation Appendix
Previous press releases
May 24, 2010 – Wang Dao Chooses Prison over Exile, Liangren Church Forced to Move from Rented House
May 21, 2010 – Wang Dao – Pursued by Authorities Nearly 20 Years
May 20, 2010 – CHCA and 3 Other Organizations Support Liangren Church
May 10, 2010 – Liangren Church Persecution Continues: Wang Dao Criminally Detained, Sunday Worship Disrupted
China Aid Contacts
Rachel Ritchie, English Media Director
Cell: (432) 553-1080 | Office: 1+ (888) 889-7757 | Other: (432) 689-6985
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.chinaaid.org
