China Court Frees Christian Leader From Labor Camp
Wednesday, September 27, 2006 (12:00 am)
By BosNewsLife News Center
BEIJING, CHINA (BosNewsLife) — A Chinese Christian leader was free Monday, September 25, after a Chinese court revoked a "re-education through labor" ruling, an unprecedented move in this Communist-run nation.
The People's Court of Hualong District in Pu Yang City of Henan Province reportedly said that Li Huimin, who was arrested March 13, 2006, would not have to be detained in a labor camp.
Li, 48, was detained on charges of holding an "illegal gathering" and sentenced to re-education through labor following the police discovery.
Her supporters said it was the first time a Christian in China has won such a lawsuit.
Police detained Li Huimin March 12, "along with a group of Christians who held an Easter worship service," during a raid at the home of 71-year-old Christian Ma Weqing in Wen County of Henan Province, said China Aid Accociation (CAA), a religious rights group representing Chinese house churches.
LOCAL CHRISTIANS
"Most of those attending were local Christians [and] some came from adjacent counties, like Li Huimin, to worship with their relatives, Added CAA in a message to BosNewsLfe.
"At the close of the gathering, the service was raided by the local police. Many Christians were arrested, including Li Huimin," who is in charge of a house church in Nanle County in Puyang City, CAA noted.
He was allegedly taken first to the Wen County Public Security Bureau, where they attempted to coerce him into admitting he is a cult member. Li Huimin refused and was "cruelly beaten," before being escorted two days later to a different location in Puyang City.
LABOR CAMP
"He was detained there for another 38 days and then sent to the re-education through labor camp April 26, 2006, charged with holding an "illegal gathering," the group claimed. After he appealed in May, the case was initially dismissed by the government, but eventually Hualong District People's Court reached a verdict.
"Though the Easter celebration was still considered illegal, Li Huimin's Re-education through Labor Decision was revoked because of the inappropriate citation of the legal articles," the organization added.
Most of China's estimated 80-million Christians worship in house churches.
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