05/03/2016, 16.49
CHINA
Send to a friend

After burying woman alive, authorities in China return land to her church

Ding Cuimei died on 14 April defending the Beitou church from demolition. The authorities acknowledge they have no legal claim to the land, which belongs to dead woman’s husband, Rev Li Jiangong. Local Christians demand justice.

Beijing (AsiaNews) – Less than two weeks after a Christian woman died after she was buried alive at a forced church demolition, local authorities ruled that the disputed land where the incident took place belongs to the Beitou Church and its pastor.

Parishioners welcomed the news with both "joy and sorrow" since “we had to mourn one of our sisters to have justice.”

Ding Cuimei, wife of Rev Li Jiangong (pictured), suffocated to death after she was pushed into a pit and covered with soil. The murder took place on 14 April.

The incident began when the couple tried to stop bulldozers sent by local authorities to demolish the Beitou church in Zhumadian, Henan Province.

A local developer had made an offer to the authorities for the land, but he wanted the site cleared.

When the pastor and his wife stood in front of heavy machinery to prevent them from carrying out their task, a member of the demolition team said, “Bury them alive for me. I will be responsible for their lives.” Subsequently, a bulldozer shoved Li and Ding into a pit and covered them with soil.

Crying for help, Li was able to dig his way out, but Ding suffocated before she could be rescued.

On 25 April, the authorities issued a report that designates the site for religious use. Although pleased, Rev Li is still upset that the investigation into his wife’s murder is slow.

Two demolition team members were arrested after the incident, but they have not been charged yet.

TAGs
Send to a friend
Printable version
CLOSE X
See also
Woman dies buried alive in Henan after her church is demolished by the government
19/04/2016 16:32
Xu Zhiyong faces fresh charges of planning 'colour revolution' against state
25/09/2021 10:49
Beijing using 'subversion' charges to suppress democratic voices
25/06/2020 13:22
Three Chinese bishops in Rome and Bologna for ‘Bridges of peace: the spirit of Assisi'
12/10/2018 13:49
Vigil continues around the Changzhi church at risk of expropriation and demolition (video)
30/08/2017 13:53


Newsletter

Subscribe to Asia News updates or change your preferences

Subscribe now
“L’Asia: ecco il nostro comune compito per il terzo millennio!” - Giovanni Paolo II, da “Alzatevi, andiamo”