(Linfen, Shanxi province – February 17, 2025) According to reports, a pre-trial conference will be held on February 18 and 19, 2025, for the “fraud” case against Preachers Li Jie and Han Xiaodong of Linfen Covenant House Church, who were charged due to their Christian faith.
Preachers Li Jie and Han Xiaodong were detained on suspicion of “fraud” on August 19, 2022. On November 1 of the same year, fellow co-worker Brother Wang Qiang was also detained on the same charge. On September 30, 2024, Brother Wang Qiang was released from detention and returned home under “Residential Surveillance at a Designated Location”. After more than two years, the court has neither held a trial nor provided any explanation. Li Jie’s wife Li Shanshan, Han Xiaodong’s wife Chen Ying, and Wang Qiang’s wife Wen Huijuan have made multiple unsuccessful attempts to request an early trial at the court.
On September 30, 2024, Brother Wang Qiang was released after 1 year and 11 months of detention and reunited with his family. However, one month after his release, their landlord, under pressure, notified them to move out before Christmas. At that time, Wang Qiang’s wife Wen Huijuan was pregnant and trying to maintain her pregnancy.
On November 30, 2024, Preachers Li Jie and Han Xiaodong, along with Wang Qiang’s wife and some Chinese house church pastors and lawyers, issued a joint statement regarding the “fraud” charges against the three Christians from Linfen Covenant House Church, firmly opposing the persecution of Linfen Covenant House Church and other house churches under the guise of “fraud.” After the statement was released, families of the Covenant House Church faced continuous harassment.
Starting December 1, for a week, government departments including the Linfen Education Bureau conducted a citywide search for Christian students from elementary school to university. They interviewed these Christian students’ parents, requiring them to sign pledges not to attend illegal gatherings and instead attend the Three-Self church established by the government on Qingshi Street. If parents refused to sign, they would be earnestly persuaded by public school leaders or teachers to leave the house church.
To date, Preachers Li Jie and Han Xiaodong have been arrested for nearly two and a half years. Only a few days ago did Li Jie and Han Xiaodong’s wives receive notice of the pre-trial conference. That day happened to be Li Jie’s wife Li Shanshan’s birthday. Li Shanshan said that if Li Jie were home, he would certainly celebrate her birthday and let her rest all day without doing housework. But since Li Jie’s wrongful imprisonment, Li Shanshan has had to learn to do many things by herself and bear burdens alone. Knowing that Li Jie eats boiled radishes in detention, she also eats boiled radishes at home, wanting to suffer together with Li Jie in this way.
During the more than two years since Li Jie and Han Xiaodong’s arrest, in their interactions with Linfen officials, the wives found that the officials understood these Christians lived simple lives. Although Li Jie and Xiaodong were charged with suspected “fraud,” whenever these officials communicated with the wives, they never discussed money matters but always asked about church registration: “Is the church registered? Why isn’t it registered?” Obviously, the “fraud” charge is just a pretext for religious persecution.
In an open prayer request letter, Linfen Covenant House Church asks everyone to keep Li Jie and Xiaodong in prayer, hoping they can reunite with their wives and children soon. They request prayers for the pre-trial conference on February 18 and 19, 2025, asking the Lord to enable Li Jie, Xiaodong, and their lawyers to bear beautiful witness for Christ and the church in court, grant them wisdom and eloquence, and give good health to Li Jie, Xiaodong, and their lawyers. They also pray for the judges, presiding judge, and all officials involved in the case, that they may uphold justice, asking the Lord to awaken their conscience and help them view matters of faith correctly and demonstrate justice.
(Reported by Special Correspondent Ningmeng for ChinaAid)
