In southwestern China, police arrested four Christians in Kaili City, Guizhou Province, for conducting Sunday school classes for children. Defendants Wei Yongqiang, He Jinbao, Long Jian, and Cheng Yongbing are members of a local house church whose case has been transferred to court for trial.
Police initially placed the four men and two other Christians under administrative detention on March 18. Authorities later converted the measure into criminal detention and submitted charges to prosecutors.
Prosecuting authorities charge the four with fraud, illegal gatherings, and organizing minors to engage in activities that disrupt public order. Chinese criminal law typically reserves the charge involving minors for acts such as brawling or theft.
Sources familiar with the proceedings told ChinaAid that allegations involving minors stem from teaching the Gospel and holding Bible classes for children. Deuteronomy 6:6-7 instructs parents to teach God's commands diligently to their children.
Legal experts consulted by the organization note that guiding children's religious education is a parental right and that criminal prosecutions over such church activities remain rare in the country.
Blocked defense lawyers and the wives' joint appeal
On November 12, the defendants' wives issued a joint prayer letter requesting public attention and legal protection for their husbands. Jiang Na, Tian Meiling, Zhang Caiwei, and Xiang Meiling signed the document appealing to Christian communities.
Family members report that judicial authorities have blocked defense attorneys from obtaining copies of the criminal case files. Although Chinese legal provisions grant defense counsel access to case records, lawyers remain locked in negotiations without receiving the files.
The defense attorneys continue pressing court officials for full record access before presenting formal defense arguments to the presiding judge.
Fraud charges used against unregistered house churches
Financial fraud allegations have increasingly targeted leaders of unregistered house churches across China. Government prosecutors accuse pastors of gathering tithes and offerings through deception, ignoring the voluntary nature of congregational giving.
In Kaili City, in 2021, Kaili courts sentenced Elder Zhang Wenying to 12 years in prison on fraud charges involving offerings. Three other Seventh-day Adventist leaders received sentences ranging from three to six years in that case.
In Shaanxi Province, Pastor Gao Quanfu of Light of Zion Church in Xi'an recently stood trial on similar charges regarding church offerings. The hearing concluded without an immediate verdict.
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