170 CHINESE BELIEVERS
INTERROGATED BY POLICE

For Immediate Release

You are free to disseminate the following news. We kindly request that you reference ICC (International Christian Concern) and include our web address www.www.persecution.org.

10/30/03 12:22:39 PM) The Washington-DC based human rights group, International Christian Concern (ICC), has just become aware of a wide sweeping arrest of Christian believers in Nanyang County, Henan Province. The PSB (Public Security Bureau) raided a house church worship service and took 170 believers to the police station for interrogation. The purpose of the massive arrest was to identify the leaders and frighten the attendees. The majority were given fines and released but fourteen leaders are being detained and may face beatings, torture and imprisonment.

Of the 1.1 million population of Nanyang County, 40 to 50 percent of the residents are Christians, including some entire villages; therefore, the area has undergone some of the heaviest persecution in China.

ICC urges American Christians to pray for the release and safety of these fourteen church leaders. Pray that these leaders will be able to endure any torture and beatings, and that they would not deny their faith or release any additional information of other leaders. Pray for peace for the family members and that the congregation would remain faithful in the midst of this trial.
ICC is a Washington-DC based human rights organization that exists to help persecuted Christians worldwide. ICC delivers humanitarian aid, trains and supports persecuted pastors, raises awareness of the problem of persecution to the US Church, and is an advocate for the persecuted to the US Government.

For additional information or for an interview, contact ICC at 301-989-1708.