China: Uyghur church leader released from prison
A Uyghur Christian in China’s troubled Xinjiang region was released last month after serving two years in a labour camp for alleged “illegal proselytising” and “leaking state secrets,” according to Compass Direct News sources.
House church leader Osman Imin was freed on 18 November, sources said. Authorities had called for a 10-15 year prison sentence for Osman, but significantly reduced the term following international media attention.
An outspoken leader of the Uyghur church in the northwestern region of China, Osman was first arrested in 2004 and kept at a detention centre in Hotan, southern Xinjiang. Local sources said his arrest was almost certainly related to his church work.
Authorities eventually moved him to the labour camp outside Kashgar. While in prison Osman was forced to work 12 to 15 hours a day, and his health quickly deteriorated. He was reportedly suffering malnutrition throughout his confinement. Osman and his wife Nurgul have two young daughters.
Still in arbitrary detention in the region is another Uyghur Christian, Alimjan Yimit. Officials initially closed the foreign-owned business Alimjan worked for in September 2007 and accused him of using it as a cover for “preaching Christianity”. He was then detained in January 2008 on charges of endangering state security and was formally arrested the following month on charges of “inciting secession” and leaking state secrets.
