Zhejiang: journalist reporting on Christian repression arrested
He spread the news about the demolition of a church in Xiaoshan and police abuses against Protestants.
Hangzhou (AsiaNews/Agencies) The Chinese authorities have arrested a journalist, Zan Aizong, for publishing articles about the destruction of churches and arrests of Protestant Christians in Zhejiang. He was arrested in Hanzhong yesterday.
Zan, 37 years, used to work for a daily newspaper, Haiyang Bao. He was fired after posting a report on overseas websites on 1 August about the destruction of a church in Xiaoshan and clashes between police and thousands of Protestant believers who tried to stop the demolition. Zan received a summons from the police on the same day. Two days later, he posted another report on the Internet about the pressure he was submitted to. He was interrogated again and his home was searched. Afterwards, on 9 August, he published an open letter to the Hangzhou chief of police. He was arrested yesterday. Reporters without Borders have launched an appeal for his release. "This new arrest cruelly illustrates that it is impossible for a Chinese journalist to investigate and write about subjects such as the persecution of religious minorities," the organisation said.
Reporters without Borders also said some 20 Protestants were being held in Hanzhong prison after the Xiaoshan clashes. Some of them have been tortured.
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10/01/2018 14:17
