UPDATE

Update on Kim Kyung Il Kim Kyung Il has been in prison 10 years. Just a few days ago, VOM contacts received word that his sentence is expected to be commuted in March and he may be free in September. Normally this would be cause for rejoicing, but as soon as Kim Kyung Il is released he'll face deportation to North Korea. There, he will almost certainly be executed. Our contact writes, "The only hope he may have is a huge outpouring of public awareness on this issue, which might at least delay his execution once he's returned." Friends are working frantically to help Kim Kyung Il, but it's not easy. Please pray with us for a solution, and take action by writing Chinese officials today.

RELEASED

Update on Father Nguyen Van Ly

Father Nguyen, now 64, has warned that he will go on a hunger strike and refuse medical treatment if he is readmitted to jail on March 15, 2011. The pastor was sentenced to eight years in prison in 2007 for "damaging national security." He was released March 15, 2010 to undergo a year's medical treatment after suffering two serious strokes leaving him partially paralyzed.

Nguyen Van Ly previously served a total of 15 years in jail, including years in solitary confinement. While on medical leave, authorities have prevented the pastor from giving interviews or meeting other democracy activists.

Please pray authorities will not send the Father Nguyen back to prison. Ask for healing for him.

UPDATE - Yang Caizhen

Yang Caizhen, who was arrested with four other Linfen-Fushan church members in November 2009, is currently in the hospital. Prison officials told Yang Caizhen's family to visit her there. This is the second time she has been in the hospital since she was arrested. The first time, her family was not informed, so this time they think her condition is more serious. Yang Caizhen is due to be released in July or August, but her family hopes she can be released early on medical parole.

Her daughter also said the prison recently changed its visitor policy. Previously, almost anyone could visit Yang Caizhen. Now, only close family members may visit.

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VOM received word today that Chinese prisoner Shi Weihan was released Wednesday, Feb. 9, 2011 from the Haidian Detention Center outside Beijing. He completed his prison sentence.

Shi Weihan was convicted in June 2009 based on evidence he had printed Bibles and other Christian literature for free distribution to poor believers in rural China.

www.prisoneralert.com

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Update on Dmitry Shestakov Pastor Dmitry (David) Shestakov was arrested in Andijan, Uzbekistan on Jan. 21, 2007. While he was in a prison labor camp, his wife and his three daughters missed him terribly. Exactly four years later, he was released on Jan. 21, 2011. Praise God that Pastor Shestakov is now home with his family. Pray for the Shestakovs as they adjust back to life together. Pray also that the church in Andijan will be strengthened. Your letters on behalf of prisoners do make a difference! Take time to write a letter to another prisoner in Uzbekistan, Tohar Haydarov, using the link below. http://www.prisoneralert.com/pprofiles/vp_prisoner_205_profile.html