Additional Name(s): Hu Shenglun, 胡石根, 胡胜伦

Gender: Male

Perpetrator: China

Religion or Belief: Christian – Protestant

Health Concerns: Heart disease, hypertension, high blood pressure, bronchitis, fatty liver disease

Reports of Torture: No

Reports of Medical Neglect: No

Sentence: 7 Years, 6 Months' Imprisonment

Date of Detainment: July/10/2015

Date of Sentencing: August/3/2016

Date of Release: March/26/2023

Current Status: Released

Religious Leader: Yes

Most Recent Type of Abuse: Imprisonment

Reason for Persecution: Giving, Sharing, & Listening to a Religious Speech Religious Activity Religious Figure & Religious Leadership Role Unregistered Religious Activity

Nature of Charges: Subversion

Hu Shigen

Extra Bio Info:

Hu Shigen was imprisoned in relation to his religious activity and religious leadership role. 

On July 10, 2015, Hu, a pro-democracy activist and underground church leader, disappeared in Beijing municipality while he was on his way to an underground church to give a sermon. The next day on July 11, public security officials criminally detained Hu.

On August 7, 2015, authorities placed Hu under "residential surveillance at a designated location" for "picking quarrels and provoking trouble" and "inciting subversion of state power." 

On January 8, 2016, authorities formally arrested Hu for "subverting state power" and held him at the Tianjin No. 1 PSB Detention Center in Xiqing district. 

On August 3, 2016, the Tianjin No. 2 Intermediate People’s Court sentenced Hu to seven years and six months in prison for "subversion of state power" (Art. 105 (1) CCL).  During the trial, prosecutors accused Hu of "leading a religious group that worked on advocacy campaigns around 'politically sensitive' cases." A photo of Hu's baptism was reportedly used as evidence against him as well. 

In October 2017, the UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention released an opinion on Hu's imprisonment, calling for his immediate release.

On March 26, 2023, Hu was released from prison after completing his sentence.

Hu's health has reportedly deteriorated while in prison as he suffers from various ailments, including heart disease, hypertension, high blood pressure, bronchitis, and fatty liver disease.

Hu was previously imprisoned for 16 years in relation to his democracy and labor advocacy.

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