(Deyang, Sichuan Province – March 25, 2024) On March 15, 2024, Elder Hao Ming and Elder Wu Jiannan from Qingcaodi Reformed Church in Deyang, who were detained for more than two years and three months on suspicion of “fraud”, were finally released on bail pending trial. Elder Hao Ming’s wife, Yang Yufeng, Elder Wu Jiannan’s wife, Cui Yanqin, and Wu Jiannan’s parents waited for them outside Deyang Detention Center with flowers in their hands. Elder Hao Ming and Elder Wu Jiannan walked out of the detention center and reunited with their family.
On November 17, 2021, retired Elder Hao Ming and Elder Wu Jiannan, along with several other church co-workers, were taken away by Deyang police. Two days later, Deyang police criminally detained Hao Ming and Wu Jiannan on suspicion of “fraud”, while others were released one after another. On Christmas Day, December 25, 2021, their family received their arrest notice, accusing them of “fraud”. In early December 2022, the case was brought to trial at Jinyang District People’s Court in Deyang, with the two Elders being accused of defrauding a huge amount of ￥560,000 yuan （~$77,824 U.S. dollars）.
Through the relentless efforts of their defense lawyers, the People’s Procuratorate of Jingyang District, Deyang City, amended the indictment decision on August 25, 2023, recognizing that during the court hearing, it was found that the facts of the case did not match those stated in the indictment. The alleged amount of “fraud” for both Hao Ming and Wu Jiannan was changed from ￥560,000 RMB to ￥101,300 RMB (~14,074 U.S. dollars). The trial was originally scheduled for January 17, 2024, but was postponed to January 29 and then further delayed until after the Spring Festival.
On December 18, 2023, a defense laywer met with Elder Hao Ming in the detention center. The lawyer revealed that Elder Hao Ming is in reasonable health, has a good appetite, but is dissatisfied with the poor quality of food in the detention center. Authorities are urging Elder Hao Ming to confess and accept the charges, assuring release if he changes lawyers, a proposal he has declined. The detention center staff also expressed that they hope Elder Hao Ming would see their good intention behind their proposal. Elder Hao Ming said that this was a test from God, and he would not betray God. Tithing involves the basic teaching of Christianity, and it is a matter of biblical principle. He would not compromise and would remain loyal to God. Although he longed to be released and felt lonely, he could overcome it. There was no way he would plead guilty. Before the Spring Festival of 2024, when the staff of Deyang People’s Court and Denyang People’s Procuratorate interrogated Elder Wu Jiannan, they also hoped he would plead guilty. However, Elder Wu Jiannan remained resolute and did not yield.
Through the relentless efforts of their defense lawyers, Elder Hao Ming and Elder Wu Jiannan were finally released on bail pending trial.
