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July 15, 2015

China set to try US missionary

rthk.hk - Instant NewsToday, 12:36 AM

China will begin the trial on July 28 of a Korean-American missionary arrested last year over a non-profit school he ran near the sensitive border with North Korea, his lawyer said, in a case that sparked outcry from international Christian groups.

Supporters of Peter Hahn, the missionary, had said he was being targeted because of his Christian faith and because of the small vocational school he ran.

Authorities have dropped three of the four charges against Mr Hahn, 74, probably for lack of evidence, his lawyer, Zhang Peihong, told the Reuters news agency, leaving only the least serious charge of counterfeiting receipts.

"I wouldn't call my attitude optimistic," Mr Zhang said by telephone. "After all Peter has only done good works, so he shouldn't face any punishment. I do hope the court will act impartially.

Mr Hahn could receive a maximum of two years in prison, Mr Zhang said, but he expected authorities would simply deport him back to the United States instead.

http://rthk.hk/rthk/news/englishnews/20150715/news_20150715_56_1116030.htm