(Shanxi, China) On December 23, Gold Lampstand Church disclosed that 12 Christians of the church, including Pastor Wang Xiaoguang and Minister Yang Rongli, were arrested on suspicion of “fraud” over 16 months ago without trial.
On August 7, 2021, public security arrested 12 Christians of Gold Lampstand Church in Linfen city and gave them 15-day detentions. 15 days later, police continued to criminally detain them on suspicion of “fraud” because of the tithe and offerings the church received. The case was transferred to the court in March 2022. Nine months passed, and the trial is not scheduled.
The Department of Public Security approached and pressured 10 Christians in various ways. Police required that the members fire their attorneys, accuse Yang Rongli and Wang Xiaoguang of fraud, and cut ties with the church. In exchange, police offered release on bail. Each Christian responded in different ways. Some turned it down adamantly, while others rejected it later in the process even though they initially complied. However, a few opted for cooperation with the Department of Public Security and were released on bail. At this point, authorities released 5 who agreed to the stipulations. Attorneys who represent the remaining seven Christians will confront massive hurdles as they plead not guilty.
Before this incident, authorities imprisoned Pastor Wang Xiaoguang and his wife Yang Rongli for three and seven years, respectively. Golden Lampstand Church faced heavy persecution in 2009, including a massive violent crackdown and the demolition of their church building. Authorities arrested Wang and Yang because the CCP wanted to use the land for other developments. After the church refused to sell, police started their campaign of persecution. In July 2021, Linfen City did a thorough concerning the core leadership of “the church led by Wang and Yang,” including a massive survey within the sub district. Joint law enforcement arranged the arrests in advance. In the meantime, ministers of other regions with connections to the church were queried and interrogated.
Gold Lampstand disclosed in a prayer request letter that Minster Yang Rongli and Pastor Wang Xiaoguang are elderly and not very healthy, but the couple loves, cares for, thinks of and intercedes for each other.
~Yu Bing, ChinaAid Contributing Reporter
