Court Says Insufficient Evidence for Pastor Lou Yuanqis Case, Yet Continues to Keep Him in Prison

March 6, 2009

XINJIANG ChinaAid just learned that Pastor Lou Yuanqi of Uygur Autonomous Region received a verdict of insufficient evidence and his case was sent back to the Public Security Bureau (PSB) by the prosecutor. The court said the facts used in the case are not clear, the evidence is insufficient. Despite this ruling, Pastor Lou continues to be imprisoned.

Pastor Lou stood trial on December 15, 2008 on charges of utilizing superstition to undermine the law. Sources say the real reason for the charge was to stop Lous house church from meeting in his home. After Lous trial, his daughter Lou Tiantian, 18, was beaten by court police when she tried to speak with her father as he was being put into a police car. Lou Tiantian was taken to the hospital where she received medical treatment, then was released the same night.

During Lous trial, the presiding judge acknowledged the persecution in Xinjiang. However, witnesses reported that the judge stated, If the Christians have more religious freedom in areas outside Xinjiang, they should consider leaving Xinjiang because Xinjiang is special.

Pastor Lou was first detained on May 17, 2008 at 1 p.m. in Qingshuihe town, Huocheng county of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. At 11:30 p.m. the same day, Pastor Lou was transferred to Huocheng County Detention Center. Pastor Lous suffers from hepatitis B and the harsh prison conditions worsen his health.

Pastor Lous wife, Wang Wenxiu, his children and church continue to meet despite Pastor Lous imprisonment. When told that Christians around the world were praying for their family, Wang asked friends to pass on this message to the international community: Please thank them for us because this [imprisonment of Pastor Lou] is Gods best will. It is His promise. It is the grace of the Lord. How could we be worthy of awakening so many brothers and sisters prayers for us? The Cross of Jesus encourages us to move forward. I am very joyful and full of gratitude for all of the prayer support.

Write an encouraging letter to Pastor Lou Yuanqi in prison:
Pastor Lou Yuanqi, Huocheng County Detention Center, Yili City, Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region, China

Communicate your concern to the Chinese government on Pastor Lous behalf:
Cell phone numbers in Huocheng PSB office?
• Director of Police: Mr. Wang Keqiang +86- 13909999156
• Director of Domestic Security Protection? Mr. Di Li Xia Ti +86-13519980871
• Deputy Director of Domestic Security Protection: Mr. Li Gang +86-15894-181-855 or +86-13899703878
• Director of Detention Center: Mr. Jiao Feng +86-13909991370
• Deputy Director of Detention Center: Mr. Sun Baoliang +86-13031375159

Ms. Wu Aiying, minister of Ministry of Justice of the Peoples Republic of China
Tel: +86-10-65205114
Fax: +86-10-64729863
Address: No. 10, Nan Da Jie, Chaoyangmen, Beijing City (Zip Code: 100020)

Read the Court Decision Paper for Pastor Lou Yuanqi.

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