(Pingyang, Wenzhou, China — July 1, 2025) The Pingyang Detention Center in Wenzhou has denied lawyers Shao Haiyan, Li Yongfeng, and Ding Liqing’s meeting with Pastor Huang Yizi, stating that he is currently “undergoing questioning.”
Criminal Detention of Pastor Huang Yizi
Pastor Huang Yizi has been placed under criminal detention. Four other brothers and sisters were arrested along with him, and all five are now under criminal detention. Pastor Huang is a well-known and respected religious leader who receives considerable attention. On June 26, he was taken away by local police, one disguised as a food delivery worker, and was officially placed under criminal detention on June 27.
Charges and Historical Context
Pastor Huang was previously arbitrarily and secretly detained twice during Zhejiang Province’s 2014 “Cross Demolition” campaign. He is currently accused of “illegal business operations,” though this is an excuse by local authorities to persecute Pastor Huang Yizi again.
Lawyers Denied Access at Pingyang Detention Center
Pastor Huang’s legal team arrived at the Pingyang Detention Center on June 30. At the service window, a female staff member reviewed their authorization documents and said, “This suspect has been under questioning all this time. No visit will be arranged. Wait 48 hours for further notice.”
When the lawyers argued that a police interview was not a valid reason to deny visitation, the staff member responded, “Go to the third floor and speak with the one in charge.”
Interactions with Detention Officials
The lawyers then sought out the detention center’s correctional officer, Chen replied that they must follow the instructions from the front desk. When the lawyers stated they would file a complaint, Chen responded, “Go ahead.”
The lawyers then went to the second floor and found the procurator stationed at the detention center. After contacting the detention center’s correctional officer, the procurator informed them that a meeting could be arranged at 2:00 p.m., and advised them to communicate directly with Director Xu Chonglei. The lawyers waited until Director Xu returned to his office. After being briefed on the situation and reviewing the authorization documents, Director Xu stated that a visitation could be arranged at 2:30 p.m.
Visitation Permission Reversed
However, when the lawyers returned to the first-floor window, the staff, after calling Director Xu, again informed them that visitation was not permitted. The lawyers went back up to the third floor to see Director Xu, who now claimed that the investigating unit would be conducting an interrogation that afternoon and visitation could not be arranged, and an arrangement can be remade within 48 hours. The lawyers argued that interrogations should be scheduled in order of request, but Director Xu replied, “It’s no use talking to him.” When the lawyers said they would go back to the resident procurator, Director Xu responded, “Go ahead.”
The lawyers once again went to the door of the resident inspection office and knocked for a long time, but no one answered. In the end, they had no choice but to file a complaint online.
Alleged Violations of Lawyer Access Rights
The lawyers believe that the actions of the Pingyang Detention Center constitute a serious violation of the Regulations on Safeguarding The Right of Lawyers to Meet with Clients in Detention Centers. They pointed out that the case-handling personnel may be unlawfully obstructing the meeting, which could be tied to illegal evidence collection. The lawyers publicly warned that any evidence obtained through illegal means must be excluded by the resident procurator and prosecutors from the Pingyang County People’s Procuratorate.
(Reported by Special Correspondent Gao Zhensai of ChinaAid)