Additional Name(s): Qin Defu
Gender: Male
Perpetrator: China
Religion or Belief: Christian – Protestant
Reports of Torture: No
Reports of Medical Neglect: No
Sentence: 4 Years' Imprisonment
Date of Detainment: December/10/2018
Date of Sentencing: November/29/2019
Date of Release: December/9/2022
Current Status: Released
Religious Leader: Yes
Most Recent Type of Abuse: Imprisonment
Reason for Persecution: Religious Activity Unregistered Religious Activity
Nature of Charges: Illegal Business Activity
Tan Defu
Extra Bio Info:
Tan Defu was imprisoned for his religious belief and activity.
On December 10, 2018, public security officials in Chengdu municipality, Sichuan province, detained Tan, an elder of the unregistered Protestant house church Early Rain Covenant Church, alongside other church members.
On November 29, 2019, the Qingyang District People's Court in Chengdu sentenced Tan to four years in prison for "illegal business activity." During the trial, Tan reportedly shouted "Religious belief is not a crime."
On December 9, 2022, Tan was reportedly released from prison after completing his sentence.
Publicly Available Information:
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"China Early Rain Church elder released from prison after completing sentence" Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW)
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"Tan Defu" Congressional-Executive Commission on China (CECC)
Additional Name(s): Zhang Xiaomai, 陈煜
Gender: Male
Perpetrator: China
Religion or Belief: Christian – Unspecified/Other
Reports of Torture: No
Reports of Medical Neglect: No
Sentence: 7 Years' Imprisonment
Date of Detainment: September/13/2019
Date of Sentencing: September/27/2020
Current Status: Not Released
Religious Leader: No
Most Recent Type of Abuse: Imprisonment
Reason for Persecution: Religious Business Activity
Nature of Charges: Illegal Business Activity
Chen Yu
Extra Bio Info:
Chen Yu is imprisoned in relation to his religiously oriented business.
On September 13, 2019, public security officials from Linhai City, Taizhou Municipality, Zhejiang Province, arrested Chen, a Christian bookseller, in connection to his online bookstore Xiaomai Shufang. Chen sold publications printed in Taiwan and the United States to mainland customers.
On September 27, 2020, a court in Zhejiang sentenced Chen to seven years in prison for “illegal business activity,” fined him 200,000 yuan, and confiscated and destroyed 12,864 books.
Publicly Available Information:
- "Chen Yu" Congressional-Executive Commission on China (CECC)
Additional Name(s): 赵怀国
Gender: Male
Current Location: Zhangjiajie PSB Detention Center, Zhangjiajie, Hunan
Perpetrator: China
Religion or Belief: Christian – Protestant
Reports of Torture: No
Reports of Medical Neglect: No
Date of Detainment: March/14/2020
Current Status: Not Released
Religious Leader: Yes
Most Recent Type of Abuse: Detainment
Reason for Persecution: Religious Activity Unregistered Religious Activity
Nature of Charges: Subversion
Zhao Huaiguo
Extra Bio Info:
Zhao Huaiguo is detained for his religious activity.
On March 14, 2020, state security officials detained Zhao, pastor of the unregistered house church Bethel Church, from his home in Cili county, Zhangjiajie municipality, Hunan province. Zhao was reportedly targeted for posting commentary online about the coronavirus and politics and for repeatedly refusing to register his church with the officially sanctioned Protestant Three-Self Patriotic Movement. Zhao was charged with “inciting subversion of state power.”
Publicly Available Information:
- "Zhao Huaiguo" Congressional-Executive Commission on China (CECC)