An American pastor detained in China for nearly 20 years has been released

Associated Press

WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. State Department says a Christian pastor from California has been freed from China after nearly 20 years behind bars and is back home in the U.S. Advocacy groups say 68-year-old David Lin was detained after he entered China in 2006, was convicted of contract fraud and sentenced to life in prison. One group says that charge is frequently used against leaders of churches that operate outside state-sponsored faith groups. Lin’s sentence had been reduced and he had been due for release in April 2030. The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom noted in 2019 that there were reports Lin was in declining health.