Zhang Chunlei
Zhang Chunlei, co-founder and elder of the Guiyang Ren’ai Reformed Church in China, has been released from prison after serving a five-year sentence.
Now 62, Zhang was one of hundreds of pastors across China who, in 2018, signed a ‘Declaration for the Sake of the Christian Faith’, protesting government restrictions on religious activites.
Three years later, when a group of believers were arrested during a small group Bible study, Zhang went to the police station to try and secure their freedom—only to be arrested himself. He was charged with fraud and ‘inciting subversion of state power’.
During his time in prison he suffered serious health issues and was hospitalised. But despite his physical weakness, he refused to plead guilty to any allegations.
Although his release is good news, Release International’s partner for China said it did not mean the end of harassment. ‘Based on previous cases, politically and religiously sensitive figures like him usually continue to face long-term residential surveillance, travel restrictions, and social isolation after completing their sentences,’ our partner explained.
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