By Jeremy Reynalds
Senior Correspondent for ASSIST News Service
CHINA (ANS) -- Seven Christians charged with "cult activity" have all received prison sentences ranging from three to seven-and-a-half years.
According to a news release from ChinaAid, that's the trial outcome from a 2012 raid, when more than 200 officers and government officials in Henan Province raided a house church, taking more than 50 Christians into custody and ultimately detaining others.
Those now imprisoned include the pastor and women who were making copies of the sermons.
ChinaAid said during a house church meeting, law enforcement and officials surrounded the meeting place and took all the students away, including a mother and her year old child.
According to ChinaAid, Ye County's entire police force, officials from the township government, armed police, the fire department and anti-terrorism police were all out in force to execute the police action. Police were also equipped with two water cannons.
In addition, ChinaAid reported, the Pingdingshan Public Security Bureau and officers from the police stations of two neighboring townships also assisted in the raid.
China Aid said the Ye County Public Security Bureau rep eatedly refused to produce the legally required paperwork to the family of the detainees.
Relatives learned that the official charge was "suspicion of organizing a cult to undermine national law enforcement."
ChinaAid said its independent investigation found that no one had done anything illegal
ChinaAid commented about those jailed, "They are being persecuted for nothing more than the exercise of their right to religious freedom by peacefully gathering to worship God."
ChinaAid said it is unclear whether or not these sentences can be appealed, but the group is looking into each situation.
If the possibility of appeal exists, ChinaAid said that could be a costly process, with each case costing between $3,000 and $5,000.
ChinaAid is an international non-profit Christian human rights organization that promotes religious freedom and the rule of law in China.
For more information go to www.chinaaid.org/p/mission.html
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