Update: Case of imprisoned Christian up for review


Alimujiang Yimiti and his family
Photo from ChinaAid

In November 2010, the People's High Court of the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region in Urumqi, China, accepted the appeal of an imprisoned Uyghur house church leader, Alimujiang Yimiti, to have his case reviewed. Alimujiang was arrested in January 2008 and sentenced in 2009 to 15 years' imprisonment for "providing state secrets to overseas organizations" (click here for more information).

Since his arrest, Alimujiang has had extremely limited contact with his family. In December, his wife, Gulinuer, and lawyer, together with a lawyer who understood the Uyghur language (in which Alimujiang's case files are written), prepared an appeal. The judge, however, informed them that the collegiate bench had already studied the case and allegedly made a decision. Although authorities initially claimed that Alimujiang's lawyer and family would be able to meet with him, they have repeatedly denied them visits. At last report, neither Alimujiang's family nor his lawyer had received any further information on his case.

Pray for Alimujiang's freedom and complete exoneration. Pray the re-opening and review of his case will expose the injustice of the situation. Pray those responsible for creating a false case against him will repent of their unjust actions. Pray Chinese authorities will uphold the rights of ethnic and religious minorities. Pray the Church in China will continue to grow in strength and resilience amid suffering and adversity.

You can find out more about the suffering Church in China at the China Country Report.

  • Current Ministry Projects

    The Voice of the Martyrs Canada continues to help distribute Bibles to Christians in the country, making it possible for them to have their own printed version of God's Word. Additionally, VOMC works with various mission partners to facilitate a Biblical understanding of persecution and discipleship, while presenting ways to effectively respond and minister within the context of hostility.

    Project Funds: Underground Church, Bible, Relief & Development

  • Country Information

    Population
    1,413,142,846 (2023 est.)

    Ethnicity (%)
    Han Chinese (91.1), ethnic minorities (8.9 - includes Zhang, Hui, Manchu, Uighur, Miao, Yi, Tujia, Tibetan, Mongol, Dong, Buyei, Yao, Bai, Korean, Hani, Li, Kazakh, Dai, and other nationalities) (2021 est.)

    Religion (%)
    Folk religion (21.9), Buddhist (18.2), Christian (5.1), Muslim (1.8), Hindu (< 0.1), Jewish (< 0.1), other (0.7 - includes Daoist [Taoist]), unaffiliated (52.1) (2021 est.)

    Leader
    President Xi Jinping (2013)

    Government type
    Communist party-led state

    Legal system
    Based on civil law system; influenced by Soviet and continental European civil law systems

    Sources: CIA World Factbook

  • Pray for China

    Pray that the Gospel will be proclaimed throughout China without government interference so many more names can be added to the Lamb's "Book of Life." May there also be a spirit of unity demonstrated among the country's growing churches, further strengthening existing believers and spurring them on in their ministry service and evangelistic outreach within the country's numerous communities.

China News