PATTAYA, Thailand — More than 60 self-exiled members of a Chinese Christian church who were detained in Thailand paid fines Friday for overstaying their visas, but remained uncertain about their legal status amid fears they would be deported against their will to their home country, where they face possible persecution.
Deana Brown, one of two American supporters who accompanied the church members, said a court in Pattaya city where the 63 members of the Shenzhen Holy Reformed Church were taken released them late Friday afternoon. She said they planned to head to a local police station to retrieve their passports, which were seized when they were detained Thursday.
According to Brown, who did not attend the court session and said her information was based on what a translator told the group, the court said the church members were free and could return to where…
