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Beijing (China): The family of a Uyghur
Christian is frustrated with the blatant injustice of
his trial. The Kashi District Intermediate People’s
Court in Xinjiang openly used forged documents to accuse
Alimujiang Yimiti of “revealing state secrets or
intelligence to overseas organizations” and claimed it
didn’t have to prove the documents were valid. The
verdict
 in the case is still pending.
Yimiti’s wife, Guli Nuer, their two children, and
Yimiti’s mother were not allowed to be present at the
trial. However, Yimiti was able to smile and wave to
them from a police vehicle, despite his handcuffed
hands, outside the gate of the courthouse. It was the
first time his family had seen him since he was
arbitrarily detained at Kashi Municipal Detention Center
on January 12, 2008 - 18 months ago.
Only Li Dunyong and Liang Xiaojun, the two attorneys
representing Alimujiang, were allowed to attend the
trial.
Alimujiang testified that he was innocent of the charge,
that the charges resulted from his evangelistic
activity, and that he will appeal a guilty verdict. He
also expressed his gratitude for the prayers and support
of others.
Yimiti’s wife, Guli, also expressed appreciationl to
many Christians from all over China, including Han
Chinese, who have called to express their prayers and
support. She and Alimujiang have two sons — one who is
three years old and another who is school-aged.
The older son “feels repressed, angry and terrified,”
sources have told China Aid, and “Guli Nuer also felt
disappointed, not expecting that such a wrongful case in
which right and wrong would otherwise be clearly
distinguished could become so difficult, and that right
and wrong are so confused.”
Alimujiang’s mother is also frustrated, having spent
months petitioning authorities in the Kashi District on
behalf of her son. Friends say she aged visibly during
the disappointment of the recent trial.
The international community is monitoring the situation.
China Aid’s Bob Fu is concerned about reports from some
overseas organizations that the accusations actually
stem from Alimujiang’s advocacy against the mistreatment
of the Uyghur nationality in Xinjiang. “Bob Fu said that
this claim is not based on facts and is irresponsible
political hype,” CAA reports.
“Alimujiang’s case demonstrates that the conduct of the
Kashi local government has reflected the policies of the
Wang Lequan government by persecuting the innocent,
while providing opportunities for Islamic extremists,”
Fu said. “Alimujiang is a law-abiding Christian of
Uyghur nationality and a peacemaker between the Han and
Uyghur Chinese citizens.
Since the July 5 riot in Xinjiang, it has become evident
to the world that Xinjiang government authorities need
peacemakers to help bring healing and hope to the
region. We call on the Xinjiang authorities to recognize
their wrongful actions against Alimujiang Yimiti and
immediately release him without any charges.”
Contact your Chinese embassy to express your concern for
Alimujiang Yimiti and Wusiman Yiming.
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