An influential Protestant church in China reports that two of its leaders were detained after more than 30 congregants, including children, were rounded up for interrogation during Sunday service, according to the BBC.
The BBC reported, citing the Early Rain Covenant Church, that armed police officers stormed the gathering in Jiangyou city during worship. More than 30 members were forcibly taken away in police vehicles to the Jiangyou detention centre, the church said. Those remaining were locked in a hotel ballroom for identity checks, with footage showing congregants singing while plainclothes officers demanded they stop.
Founded in 2008 in Chengdu, the church has faced scrutiny from Chinese authorities due to tight government control over religious activities. Founding pastor Wang Yi remains imprisoned serving a nine-year sentence for inciting subversion of state power.
The detained leaders Yan Hong and Wu Wuqing have faced previous arrests, including charges of picking quarrels and provoking trouble in January, according to the church. Chinese authorities have not responded to the church statement or provided legal justification for the action.
Bob Fu, founder of ChinaAid, told the BBC the raid was evidence that peaceful Christian worship is treated as a threat to state control.
Sources: BBC
