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| Lin Kezhen preaching. (Photo: screenshot from video) |
ChinaAid
(Fuzhou, Fujian-Oct. 29, 2018) A group of police officers broke into Yongfu Church, located in China’s Fujian province, during a service on Oct. 21, refusing to show identification or warrants.
They claimed that they were there to “enforce the laws,” but they entered the building without the consent of the church and without any official documentation stating they could. Two officers checked all of the rooms in the building.
Pastor Lin Kezhen asked if they would be willing to speak with him after the service since it was then ongoing, but they shouted that it should be stopped, people should leave, and no one should attend church there anymore.
In the midst of the chaos, one mother attempted to flee with her one-year-old child, but a female government agent intercepted and chastised her. One of the attendees attempted to stand between the mother and the officer, but she bullied him. The two eventually left safely, but the child’s eye was hurt in the process.
The same officer continued to create trouble by kicking one of the church’s metal doors. When the Christians asked her to stop, she said, “We can compensate for it.”
One of the police officers deleted photos from a Christian man’s phone and then took him to the front door and scolded him.
As the church members attempted to leave, the authorities closed the door and demanded to see their identification and other personal information.
When the authorities left, they said they would be back the following week. ChinaAid has not heard whether or not they harassed the church again last Sunday, but the week previous, officials had harassed the church and spoken with Lin.
The Christians do not know why the government is treating them this way.
ChinaAid exposes abuses, such as those suffered by the members of Yongfu Church, in order to stand in solidarity with the persecuted and promote religious freedom, human rights, and rule of law.
ChinaAid Media Team
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