Sources said Weihan's store operated legally, sold only books for which he had obtained government permission and that his Holy Spirit Trading Co. printed Bibles and Christian literature without authorization but only for free distribution to local house churches.

Weihan, 38, was released from jail Jan. 4, 2008, due to insufficient evidence for the same vague charge of "illegal business operation," but he was arrested again March 19, 2008, and held virtually incommunicado.

According to Compass, the court ruling appears to have allowed time that Weihan has spent in jail to count toward his sentence, as his prison term will run through Nov. 27, 2010. Others in a printing company who stood trial with Weihan appeared to have received similar sentences. A written judgment is expected within 15 days to allow time for an appeal to be filed--Weihan's friend, Ray Sharpe, told Compass.

"Absent an appeal, it is also possible that Shi could be allowed a sort of medical parole due to his diabetic condition," Sharpe said. "Hopefully, he could then be allowed to stay in a hospital under a sort of house arrest."