 Pastor Zhang Shaojie Photo: ChinaAid |
The trial for an imprisoned pastor charged with "fraud" and "disturbing public order" began on April 10th, only to be suspended indefinitely due to the high tension and the dismissal of his lawyers.
Pastor Zhang Shaojie, who belongs to a state-sanctioned church in Nanle County, Henan Province, was detained in November of 2013 without any formal documentation after church members petitioned a higher authority about a land dispute involving the church. Over 20 church members were also detained. (For more information on his arrest, click here.)
On April 9th, the night before the trial began, Pastor Shaojie's wife and their daughter (along with her one-year-old baby girl) were taken to the Nanle County Public Security Bureau for "interrogation." They were finally released at 1:30 a.m.
When the hearing took place the following day, Nanle County was under a complete lockdown, including a curfew for all residents and the mandatory stationing of guards at every intersection. Only two of Pastor Shaojie's family members were allowed to attend the trial, and a U.S. Embassy official was barred from the courtroom.
During the trial, Pastor Shaojie also decided to dismiss his lawyers from the case -- a decision he made following concerns that they might lose their licenses for representing him.
During this time of great uncertainty for Pastor Shaojie and his family, pray that God's peace and joy will permeate their hearts. May the trial resume again soon, and may justice be done for this wrongly accused pastor. Until then, pray that Pastor Shaojie will use his time in prison to share God's love and light with those who do not yet know our compassionate Saviour.
Visit our China Country Report to learn more about China's persecuted church.
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