[Statement from Shincheonji Church of Jesus on the Issuance of a Detention Warrant for Chairman Lee Man-hee]
[Statement from Shincheonji Church of Jesus on the Issuance of a Detention Warrant for Chairman Lee Man-hee] Shincheonji Church of Jesus expresses deep regret regarding the court's 24 June decision to issue a detention warrant. Chairman Lee Man-hee and the church have maintained fixed addresses and have faithfully cooperated with the authorities at every stage of the investigation, including the searches and seizures. Through repeated searches and seizures, relevant materials have already been secured, leaving no risk of the destruction of evidence, and given his advanced age of 95, there is likewise no risk of flight. Under these circumstances, the decision to impose detention is deeply regrettable in light of the principle of trial without detention under the Criminal Procedure Act. To detain a 95-year-old individual before the court has had the opportunity to determine the merits of the case is, in effect, imposing a form of physical punishment in advance. As Chairman Lee curre...