Zhang Shaojie

Extra Bio Info:

Zhang Shaojie is imprisoned for his religious activity and religious leadership role.

On November 16, 2013, public security officers in Nanle county, Puyang municipality, Henan province, detained Zhang, a pastor of the Nanle Three-Self Patriotic Movement (TSPM) Church, following a series of land disputes with local authorities. 

On November 23, 2013, Zhang was formally charged with "obstruction of official business" and "gathering a crowd to disrupt social order," a reference to his congregation. The former charge was later changed to "fraud."

On July 4, 2014, the Nanle County People's Court sentenced Zhang to 12 years in prison. There are reports that Zhang's trial was filled with procedural violations, including attempts to deny him access to counsel. 

On August 21, 2014, the Puyang Municipal Intermediate People’s Court rejected Zhang’s appeal.

In November 2019, Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) and Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ) raised Zhang's case in a letter to Secretary of State Rex Tillerson. In the letter, the congressmen mentioned reports that Zhang was being mistreated in prison, including being deprived of sleep and food. 

In December 2019, it was reported that Zhang was experiencing mental health issues after being put on a new high blood pressure medication.

Rep. Vicky Hartzler (R-MO, Ret.) advocated for Zhang as part of the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission's Defending Freedoms Project.