Photo via assistnews.net

Pastor Wang Dao released on bail, awaiting trial in China

ChinaAid is reporting that Wang Dao, pastor of Liangren Church of Guangzhou, China, was released on Sunday (June 13, 2010) after being imprisoned on May 9, 2010, reports Dan Wooding, founder of ASSIST Ministries.

“He endured arrest on arbitrary charges, threat of exile, and temporary denial of the right to meet with his lawyers,” a ChinaAid spokesperson told the ASSIST News Service (ANS).

The spokesperson said that at 7pm Beijing time on June 13, 2010, Guangzhou Municipal Public Security Bureau sent Wang Dao home on bail to await his trial.

His new charge, according to the Certificate of Release, is “hindering the administration of credit cards.” This is the fourth time authorities have changed the name of his charge. He was originally detained on suspicion of “gathering a mob to disrupt the public order.”

The ChinaAid spokesperson went on to say, “Wang Dao has said that his case was founded in nothing more than religious persecution. Liangren Church, which he pastors, has also undergone unjust treatment. Aside from losing their pastor, they have been locked out of their rented building, forced to worship outdoors, ordered to disband from a peaceful meeting in a park, and evicted from another rented building.

“Wang Dao thanks the various churches, the international community, concerned fellow Christians, Attorney Li Baiguang and the other Christian human rights attorneys for their efforts on his behalf, leading to his release.”

Bob Fu, president of China Aid Association (ChinaAid) said, “We commend the right decision by the Guangdong authorities to release Pastor Wang Dao after the international outcries for his unjustified imprisonment. We urge the Chinese government to allow pastor Wang and the Liangren house church members to exercise their constitutional and universal rights of religious freedom.”

The spokesperson added, “ChinaAid joins Pastor Wang Dao and his family in expressing heartfelt gratitude for your support. We ask for continued prayer for Wang Dao and Liangren Church."

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TAGS: China ChinaAid pastor Wang Dao Liangren Church of Guangzhou religious persecution anti-Christian violence

[06/17/2010]

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