Shi Weihan

Open Doors launched email campaigns to Chinese Ambassador Zhou Whenzong for Shi during the summer of 2008 and in March 2009, when we learned of his hearing. Supporters sent over 2,000 e-mails to Whenzong asking for Shi's release through the campaign launched by Open Doors.

Shi Wei Han, a Christian bookshop owner, was finally released from prison on February 9, 2011, and returned home the following day. Many people from his church welcomed him and celebrated with him and his family when he arrived at his home.

More information about Shi Wei Han:

• According to Compass Direct News, a Beijing court found Shi guilty of “illegal business activities” in June 2009. Sources said, however, that Shi's bookshop operated legally and only sold books for which he had obtained government permission; they also said that Shi’s Holy Spirit Trading Company printed Bibles and Christian literature without authorization, but only for free distribution to local house churches.
  
• Shi, father of two, had previously been arrested for publishing Bibles and Christian literature, but was released from prison in January 2008 due to “insufficient evidence.” He was arrested again on March 19, 2008 and detained from then on, but was only officially charged in June 2009.
  
• Shi, 40, is a diabetic and was initially denied medication for his condition, according to Compass Direct News.
  - Shi served his three-year sentence, which took into account time he spent in detention after his first arrest in November 2007. Shi lost a lot of weight while in prison, but he reports that his health is currently tolerable.

China is #16 on the Open Doors World Watch List