Police in China arrested Pastor Li Juncai and three members of his congregation as they protested against the forced removal of a cross from the roof of their church in Xinxiang, Henan province in February.
They charged the pastor with “disrupting public service” after he challenged the arrival of police-escorted demolition crews at Zhongxin Church, an unofficial “house church” with a congregation of 700 Christians. One of the four detained, a pregnant woman, was later released on bail.
Eyewitnesses said around 10 Christians, mainly women and elderly, received beatings and detainment when they stood at a gate to block the access of two cranes.
