In Chains: Christian Persecution - 2019, Issue 1

ONGOING CASES
North Carolina pastor, John Cao, had his hearing postponed. He is
currently trying to get his 7 year sentence reduced. The court has
delayed the hearing until March 22. Cao was known to the authorities
to be a missionary in Myanmar. However, in March 2017, they
arrested him as he crossed the border from Myanmar to China,
attesting his movements were illegal. It is believed to be because of his
faith that he was arrested, not because he was involved in any
criminal activity.
Huang Yan, a Christian human rights defender, was granted asylum in
the United States.
In the ongoing investigation of Pastor Wang Yi, of Early Rain Covenant
Church, his members are being harassed. The church was closed
shortly after his arrest (and many others of the church). They were
arrested on charges of running illegal businesses because they sold
Bibles. Only 8 members have been released from custody on bail.
On January 24th, multiple members were threatened by police. The
police informed them “the purpose is to accuse Wang Yi.” They asked
about his Yinances and purchases. “Regarding you all, your life
depends on whether you cooperate with us. If you cooperate with us,
you will reunite with family before the Spring Festival and nothing
will happen to you.”
DETAINED OR
ARRESTED?
Sometimes it is very
confusing when reading
about people arrested
in China. Reports of
people being detained
or gone missing are
followed months later
of reports of someone
being formally arrested.
This makes everything
seem confusing.
In China, someone can
be detained for up to six
months before being
formally arrested or
charged. Many times
“missing” people are not
actually missing. They
are in the government’s
hands, but no one
knows where they are
being held. Not only are
they detained, but they
are often tortured. This
can sometimes include
being committed to a
psychiatric institution,
when there is no
indication of being
mentally ill, and being
given “treatment.”
At the six month mark,
the government must
release the individual or
charge/arrest them.
This is why you will see
a report of someone
being detained by the
government and then
months later being
formally arrested. You
aren’t arrested until you
have been charged.