(Linfen, Shanxi Province, China – April 11, 2025) April 9, 2025 was the second day of the pre-trial meeting for the case against 12 pastors and co-workers of the Linfen Golden Lampstand Church who have been charged with “fraud.”
According to reports, during the pre-trial meeting on April 8, the judge clearly stated that Pastor Yang Rongli (wife) and Pastor Wang Xiaoguang (husband) would be brought to court so defense attorneys could confirm details about excluding inadmissible evidence with them. However, during the April 9 pre-trial meeting, the judge broke this promise and did not bring the two pastors to court. The court had promised to provide all conveniences to defense lawyers, yet in court, even the printed case files that the court had promised were not provided. The court also prohibited lawyers from bringing their own computers into the courtroom.
Defense Lawyers suspect verdict already made before trial
The first day’s pre-trial meeting ended at 5 PM, and simultaneously announced that the formal trial would begin at 9 AM the next day, a decision that drew protests from all defense attorneys. Some lawyers felt this arrangement showed they weren’t even trying to maintain the appearance of due process. The lawyers unanimously speculated whether the pre-trial meeting report had already been written, or even if the verdict had already been prepared. Many lawyers expressed anger about this in court, but the presiding judge remained silent and did not intervene regarding this unusual procedure.
Lawyers forbidden to bring electronics in a “public” trial
During this pre-trial meeting, lawyers were not allowed to bring phones or computers into the courtroom. The court’s explanation was: since this pre-trial meeting was not open to the public, in order to prevent defense attorneys from making audio or video recordings that could create complications, all electronic devices capable of recording were prohibited for anyone entering the courtroom. However, when lawyers later asked if they could bring their own phones and computers when the court had clearly stated the case would be publicly tried, the judge still insisted this would not be allowed. Lawyers found this baffling.
Local communities and officials mobilized and ordered to prevent church members attending court hearing
According to reports, the Yaodu District Court began implementing strict security measures on the evening of April 7, using drones for surveillance. Not only were Christians from the Linfen Golden Lampstand Church warned not to go to the court, with people monitoring the village and controlling road access, but Christians from Linfen Covenant Home Church were also harassed by community management office personnel, some visiting directly and others contacting church members at their workplaces. Everyone was told: “You cannot go to the Yaodu District Court.” When Christians asked why they couldn’t go, the reason was not provided. One official said:
“We must complete the task! If stability maintenance is not achieved, even if it’s just a small detail, it will affect the overall situation.”
In recent years, church-related court cases have often become focal points for stability maintenance, with areas around courts operating under heightened security—guards posted every few steps—and relatives of accused Christians and church members not allowed to enter or even approach the courtroom. Some believe that Christians are peace-loving people, and that the government’s mobilization of police forces is a complete waste of taxpayer money.
(Reported by Special Correspondent Ningmeng of ChinaAid)
