Police clamp down on Mongolian house churches

China Aid Association (CAA) has learned that officials from the Arong Qi Security and Religious Affairs Bureau detained two house church ministers last Thursday.

Sun Chuan Min, 27 from Gan He town, Inner Mongolia, and Sun Shi Ying, 24, from Liu He village, were taken to the local police station. Security officials also confiscated a video camera, books, a washing machine, comforters and food supplies belonging to the Daqing Church. All of the items were taken without proper and legal documentation, CAA said.

Last Sunday, 66 year-old Guo Jingtian, pastor of Arong Zhen Ge Er church of Yadong town, Inner Mongolia, was summoned to the Local Security Bureau and charged with holding an "illegal religious meeting". Security officials have sealed the church and prohibited the building from being used for meetings.

In another organised attack by Public Security Officials, a church meeting was raided by members of the Security Bureau and Officials from the Religious Affairs Bureau. Thirteen believers were arrested and detained from 8pm to 5am the next day. All Bibles and kitchen utensils were confiscated without proper documentation. The believers were also threatened by the police officials.

CAA has also learned that 10 people were arrested on April 23 during a house church worship service in Xinjiang. Officials illegally confiscated Bibles and hymn books from the members. Fortunately, all 10 believers were released the same day. According to sources, the Security Officials responsible for the arrests are Li Gang, Captain of the National Security Group in Huocheng city, Xinjiang Province, and Li Jinliang, Police Official of Qing Shui He.