Christians in Lingao bought the land to build a place of worship, but local authorities secretly sold it a second time to developers. When protesters showed up at the site, a group of thugs and officials beat them up, injuring seniors and children.

Lingao (AsiaNews) - A bunch of thugs and government officials beat up a group of Christians in Lincheng County, in the southern province of Hainan. The latter were trying to prevent the seizure of land on which they planned to build their church.

As a result of the beating, two women (pictured) are in a coma. Seniors and children were also among the injured.

The attack took place on the morning of 13 August, but has only now been confirmed by China Aid, a group that monitors civil and human rights in China.

Although the Christian community in Lingao asked for police intervention, police officers stood idly by as the beating got underway. The courts also refused to hear a complaint about what happened.

According to local Christians, the confrontation stems from the fact that local authorities sold the same land twice, first to the local Christian community who wanted to build a church, and then to developers.

Acting in secret, the authorities failed to inform the public of their decision, until developers moved in with their bulldozers.

At that point, members of the Christian community tried to stop construction but came under attack.

• china
• hainan
• land
• church
• lingao
• lincheng
• county
• sale
• developers