Beijing, China - China has released a leader of the nation's underground Protestant church after being detained for three years for illegal possession of thousands of Bibles, a Christian activist group said Monday.
Cai Zhuohua from Beijing was freed September 10, according to a statement from the US-based China Aid Association, having lost more than 20 kilogrammes (44 pounds) but in otherwise good health.
Cai, who was first taken into custody on September 11, 2004 and formally sentenced to jail a year later, was forced to work 12 hours a day making soccer balls for the 2008 Beijing Olympics while in custody, the group said.
Although Bibles are not illegal in China, only the Amity Printing Press in the eastern city of Nanjing has been licensed by the government to print them for distribution and sale in state-approved churches.
China allows Christians to worship in state-approved and strictly monitored churches, but many prefer unregistered "underground" or "house" churches.
Cai has been told not to speak publicly about his case and to report every month to security officials, the group said.