A Chinese house church leader was arrested Aug. 31 for receiving three tons of Bibles, according to China Aid Association (CAA).

Zhou Heng is also the manager of Yayi Christian Book Room, a registered bookstore that sells Christian-related books published legally inside China. His bookstore was shut down after his arrest. Heng was accused of "illegal business operation" and is currently detained at Xishan Detention Center, said CAA, a nonprofit organization that monitors religious freedom in China.

The Bibles were reportedly donated by South Korean churches and were intended for local believers. However, the Chinese government only allows officially sanctioned churches to print and distribute a limited number of Bibles each year. If convicted of the charges, Heng faces a 15-year prison sentence. According to CAA, Heng has been beaten in prison severely by other inmates and prison guards.

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