Article 18 reported that the court found there was “insufficient evidence” the Christians had acted against national security, referencing their lawyers’ explanation that they had only “worshipped in the house church in accordance with the teachings of Christianity” and that Christians are taught to live in “obedience, submission and support of the authorities.”

The judges also noted the legal principle of “interpreting any doubt in favour of the accused.

The stunning decision comes after a Supreme Court judge ordered a review of their convictions in November. The appeal court’s verdict backs up the November decision of the Supreme Court judge, who ruled that “merely preaching Christianity” in house churches or even promoting the “Evangelical Zionist sect” did not amount to acting against national security.

Source: OpenDoors.org