After conducting detailed investigations, ChinaAid has confirmed that from the end of September to early November 2008, a large police force was dispatched to raid house gatherings in Beijing and in areas near college campuses in Hangzhou, Zhejiang province. More than 400 Christian college students were arrested and interrogated. House church leaders who led the gatherings were detained, and four were sentenced to re-education through labor for one to one and a half years. House church members were accused of "preaching to students" and "engaging in cult activities." The house church groups were all affiliated with the Local Church network founded by Witness Lee (1905-1997).
