Contact: Bob Fu, China Aid Association, Inc. 432-689-6985, 267-205-5210 info@ChinaAid.org; www.ChinaAid.org, www.monitorChina.org

MIDLAND, Texas, April 18 /Christian Newswire/ -- China Aid Association has learned that three House Church leaders from Henan and Inner Mongolia filed a lawsuit against the government for abuse during their detention after both local governments rejected their application for an administrative review of their penalties.

Photo: sister Zhi Ruiping's administrative detention paper

Dong Quanqu and his wife Li Huage from Henan have filed a lawsuit in the People's Court of Nanyang city demanding that the Wancheng Branch of Nanyang Municipal Public Security Bureau cancel all its illegal specific acts, return the confiscated properties and compensate for the applicants' properties that was illegally detained, including 400 yuan of detention fees. However, the court hasn't decided whether or not to take up this case.

Zhi Ruiping from Inner Mongolia filed her case in the People's Court of Duolun County on April 12, 2007 and that court has accepted her case.  Her trial will be held soon.

For the case of pastor Dong Quanyu and his wife, the reasons given by the applicants are based on the laws of the People's Republic of China.  On March 6, 2007, the police raided the house church without presenting proper identification and failed to comply with the legal procedure as defined in Article 37 of the "Laws of Administrative Penalty of the People's Republic of China." 

Confiscation of their computers, cameras, Dong Quanyu's cell phone, 30-40 boxes of Bibles and 400 yuan of cash is a violation of Article 89 of "Laws of Administrative Penalty of the People's Republic of China."  Other references of the laws include Articles 96, 97, 27 of the "Laws of Administrative Penalty of the People's Republic of China" and Articles 36 and 37 of "The Constitution of the People's Republic of China." 

Dong Yuanqu was detained 10 days; from March 6, 2007 to March 16, 2007.  Li Huage was detained on March 19, 2007 on the grounds that Li notified the people gathering on March 6.  She was released on March 29, 2007.  So far, the properties confiscated have not been returned.

For the case of sister Zhi Ruiping, the requests in her application are:

1. Repeal the Penalty Decision Gong (Guo) Jue Zi No. 3 of Duolun County according to law
   
   
2. Rule that the defendant pay one yuan in the form of state compensation according to law
   
   
3. Rule that the defendant pay the litigation expenses for this case

Zhi Ruiping was arrested on December 29, 2006 by Duolun County Public Security Bureau on the grounds that she organized a Christmas celebration without registration.  She was given a penalty of 15 days of detention and was released on January 13, 2007.

CAA has been supporting both cases with legal and financial aid.

Issued on April 18 2007 by China Aid Association, Inc.