A number of human rights groups are calling for justice on behalf of a Chinese Christian who is sentenced to 15 years in prison for his faith.

Alimujiang Yimiti was arrested in 2008 on charges of inciting separatism and unlawfully providing state secrets to overseas organizations. After being held for more than a year, the first charge was dropped, but Alimujiang was found guilty on the second charge and given the maximum sentence of 15 years in prison.

Bob Fu is president of the China Aid Association, which is involved in a petition effort asking Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton to raise concern about Alimujiang's case.

Bob Fu"The real purpose for [his arrest] is to punish his Christian faith and also his active evangelism among the Uyghur Muslim – his own people," Fu contends. "He's a very peace-loving, gracious house church leader...and the Chinese government forbids the conversion from Muslim faith to Christian faith."

Last week, leaders from the U.S. and China met in Washington, DC, for a human rights dialogue -- their first such talk in two years.