Contact: Katherine Cason, 267-210-8278, Katherine@ChinaAid.org; Washington contact, Jenny McCloy, 202-213-0506, Jenny@ChinaAid.org; www.ChinaAid.org, www.MonitorChina.org

XINJIANG, China, Jan. 5 /Christian Newswire/ -- At 1 p.m. local time on January 2, 2009, a house church in Shayibake District of Urimuqi city, Xinjiang Autonomous Region was raided by a number of Public Security Bureau (PSB) officers. Fifty-one Christians were detained for questioning, with forty-eight released later that day.

Authorities held three church leaders, Ms. Zhou Li, Ms. Zhu Jinfeng and Mr. Yang Miaofa, an extended time in PSB custody. Mr. Yang Miaofa was released after paying 500 yuan fine. Ms. Zhu Jinfeng suffered a longer detention before her eventual release. Ms. Zhou Li was sentenced to 10 days administrative detention. She is currently separated from her son who is almost two years old.

Contact the following Chinese government offices to express your concern for Zhou Li. ChinaAid recommends English speakers to communicate by fax:

The People's Procurate of Xinjiang Autonomous Region

Tel: +86-991-2642000

The Office of Inspector General for Law Enforcement of China

Tel: +86-10-62251925

Fax: +86-10-62254181