Bao Guohua, Xing Wenxiang and Bao Chenxing opposed cross demolitions in Zhejiang province, such as this one. (Photo: China Aid) |
China Cracks Down on Christian Leaders by Ordering Pastors to Carry ‘Nazi-Like’ ID Cards
(PHOTO: REUTERS/KIM KYUNG-HOON)
Read more at http://www.christianpost.com/news/china-cracks-down-christian-leaders-ordering-pastors-carry-nazi-like-id-cards-158662/#GVtlHWjKmG5oxzAD.99
China Aid
By Brynne Lawrence
Updated at 1:34 p.m. CST on Feb. 26, 2016
(Jinhua, Zhejiang—Feb. 26, 2016) Officials in China’s coastal Zhejiang province handed 12 Christians prison sentences on Feb. 25 after a pastor and his family publicly opposed the ongoing cross demolition campaign.
Bao Guohua, senior pastor of Jinhua Christian Church, was initially detained on July 26, 2015, along with his wife, Xing Wenxiang, and their son, Bao Chenxing, after they spoke out against forced cross removals occurring across the province. Later, authorities forced them to dismiss their lawyers, and Xing penned letters to family and friends begging them to hire legal aid for her husband on Oct. 20.
On Feb. 25, Bao Guohua and Xing were sentenced to 14 and 12 years in prison, respectively, and Bao Chenxing received a three-year prison sentence. Nine other Christians received sentences of varying lengths.
Below is a report published by the Zhejiang Radio and Television Group and translated and edited by China Aid, reporting the complete sentencing details for Bao and Xing.
China Aid reports abuses, such as those experienced by Bao Guohua, Xing and Bao Chenxing, in order to promote religious freedom and rule of law in China.
Court releases verdict to Bao Guohua in trial of first instance; “impoverished pastor” confessed to collecting money in court
Zhejiang Radio and Television Group
2-25-2015 7:20 p.m.
Today, Bao Guohua, the former leader of Jinhua Christian church, and his wife Xing Wenxiang, along with other essential church staff—of a total of 12 people—were found guilty in the trial of first instance by the Wucheng District Court of Jinhua. Bao Guohua and his wife Xing Wenxiang were found guilty of embezzlement; gathering a crowd to disturb public order; illegal business operations; and concealing accounting documents, accounting books, or financial statements—a total of four crimes. Bao Guohua was sentenced to 14 years in prison, the confiscation of assets totaling 600,000 Yuan [(U.S. $91,850)], and order to pay a fine of 100,000 Yuan [(U.S. $15,300)]. Xing Wenxiang was sentenced to 12 years in prison, the confiscation of assets totaling 600,000 Yuan, and ordered to pay a fine of 90,000 Yuan [(U.S. $13,770)]. The rest received various sentences.
For a long time, Bao Guohua and Xing Wenxiang have been thrifty and had clean. In the trial, the “impoverished pastors” guise was uncovered little by little. The prosecutor accused Bao Guohua and Xing Wenxiang of using their positions as the pastor and managing persons to use cash and a car and occupy a house offered by the church members, [items] which should belong to the church, worth a total of 220,000 Yuan [(U.S. $33,683)] and U.S. $2,000.
In the trial, Bao Guohua, Xing Wenxiang, and the others pleaded guilty and [expressed their] willingness to accept the legal punishment. The other people who participated in the offense successively and incessantly expressed remorse for participating in criminal activity, [which was] caused by their being personally deceived by Bao and Xing.
Source: Zhejiang Television
Editor: Cheng Yazheng
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