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3h ago

China Detains Zion Church Founder in Nationwide House-Church Sweep

The sweep follows new restrictions on online religious activity, highlighting tighter control over unregistered churches.

FILE -In this photo taken Aug. 4, 2018, pastor Jin Minri leads a class on the basics of Christian beliefs at the Zion Church in Beijing, China. (AP Photo/Ng Han Guan), File)
FILE -Police officers guard at the main entrance door to a building where Zion church is located after the church was shutdown by authorities in Beijing, Sept. 11, 2018. (AP Photo/Andy Wong, File)
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Overview

  • An official notice shows Pastor Jin Mingri is held at Beihai City No. 2 Detention Centre on suspicion of “illegal use of information networks,” an offense tied to online content that can carry up to seven years in prison.
  • Church sources report nearly 30 pastors and workers were detained across multiple cities since Thursday, with several released and about 20 still in custody.
  • Police searched homes, seized phones and computers, and blocked lawyers from meeting detainees in Beihai, according to relatives and church members.
  • U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio condemned the detentions and called for the immediate release of the Zion Church leaders.
  • Zion Church grew rapidly through online services and small local sites after its Beijing sanctuary was closed in 2018, a model now constrained by rules banning unsanctioned online preaching.