A Chinese house-church activist was released from prison after publicity from his case elicited the prayers and protests of Christians worldwide.
Xiao Bi-guang was arrested Sept. 26 in Beijing and accused of “subverting” the Chinese government and “socialist system,” according to the U.S.-based advocacy group Voice of the Martyrs.
The group said Xiao attributes his release to publicity that came to the attention of Chinese authorities.
A policeman reportedly asked him: “How did you get your story on the Internet?”
Xiao’s wife, Gou Qinghui, said her husband was not beaten or physically abused during his incarceration, VOM reported.
The Chinese Christian said he was grateful for the support he received, according to the Oklahoma-based group.
“This is proof positive that Christians around the world can make a difference with their prayers and their phone calls and letters to the Chinese embassy,” said Todd Nettleton, a spokesman for VOM. “We are so pleased to see the Chinese government show respect for justice in this case, and we thank God that brother Xiao has been reunited with his wife and 4-year-old son.”
VOM said, however, the man arrested with him, Zhang Yi-nan, remains in custody on subversion charges.
A source inside the Beijing Public Security Bureau, the agency involved in many arrests of Christians, told VOM sources, “Zhang doesn’t have a criminal problem. He has a mind problem. He is too superstitious.”
Nettleton said he encourages calls, faxes and letters to the Chinese embassy on Zhang’s behalf. Contact information can be found on VOM’s website.
As WorldNetDaily reported, international protest apparently pressed China’s communist government to finally notified Xiao’s wife that he had been arrested.
VOM said she received official notification of her husband’s arrest last week, even though the families of arrestees are supposed to be notified within 24 hours of an arrest.
The official notification was needed for Gou to hire an attorney to represent her husband, VOM said.
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WND Staff