China Pastor Who Resisted Cross Removals Jailed For Corruption - BBC

Có thể bạn quan tâm

Picture of Xing Wenxiang and Bao Guohua — Image caption,
Bao Guohua, right, and his wife Xing Wenxiang were detained in August last year

A Christian pastor in China who refused to remove a cross from his church's roof has been jailed for 14 years for corruption and inciting people to disturb social order, reports say.

Chinese media said Bao Guohua had been found guilty of embezzling money from his congregation in Zhejiang province.

His wife, Xing Wenxiang. received 12 years for the same offences.

The couple's supporters say the case is linked to a government crackdown on Christian activity in Zhejiang.

Planning officials there have removed more than 1,000 crosses from churches over the past two years.

Bao Guohua was one of the very few government-approved pastors to resist the removals.

This photo taken on May 24, 2015 shows worshippers celebrating the Feast of the Ascension at the "underground" Zhongxin Bridge Catholic Church in Tianjin. Tianjin, — Image caption,
Chinese authorities say church crosses violate planning codes

Earlier this month, authorities in Zhejiang said another prominent pastor, Gu Yuese, was being investigated for corruption.

Christian activists said the inquiry was also linked to Mr Gu's open opposition to the crackdown on Christian activity.

The Zhejiang Daily newspaper reported that Bao had been fined more than $15,000 (£10,800) and the court had also ordered another $92,000 confiscated.

The authorities have justified the tearing down of crosses by saying they break planning rules.

But many believe officials want to limit Christianity across the south-eastern province, where the religion has a strong following. Zhejiang is home to many churches, particularly in the city of Wenzhou.

Bao and his wife were detained last August and charged with embezzlement shortly afterwards.

More to explore

Anxious days inside Iran as speculation grows of US strikes
How Hollywood and Maga aligned over Warner Bros deal
Sir John Curtice: Greens' win means future of British politics is more uncertain than ever
Why are Afghanistan and Pakistan fighting?
Who is Soham killer Ian Huntley?
Taking collagen keeps skin more elastic but won't stop wrinkles, say scientists
Why Trump means the Cuban Revolution faces its biggest threat yet
Weekly quiz: How did this baby monkey break the internet's heart?
Politics Essential: Get the latest news and analysis delivered to your inbox every weekday