(Hohhot, Inner Mongolia, China – December 19, 2024) It is reported that the scheduled verdict for the case of ten Christians, including Wang Honglan, accused of “illegal business operations” for selling Bibles, was originally set for December 5, 2024, at the Hohhot Hui District Court in Inner Mongolia, but was temporarily cancelled due to the presiding judge’s sudden illness.
When was the verdict scheduled?
On November 28, 2024, the defense lawyer received a court appearance notice from the Hohhot Hui District Court, informing them that Wang Honglan, Wang Jiale, Liu Minna, Yang Zhijun, Ban Yanhong, Ji Heying, Ji Guolong, Zhang Wang, Liu Wei, and Li Chao were accused of “illegal business operations” and that the verdict would be announced at 10 a.m. on December 5, 2024, in the court’s first courtroom.
However, on the day before the verdict, the lawyers and families were informed that the court session was cancelled. The new date for the verdict is still unknown.
Why were they accused?
In Hohhot, Inner Mongolia, ten Christians, including Wang Honglan, were accused of “illegal business operations” for selling Bibles at a loss. To make Bibles more affordable for more Christians, they purchased officially published Bibles from the Nanjing Three-Self Church at a 5% discount and sold them at a 25% discount. They made no profit, aiming solely to spread the gospel. However, they were accused of illegal business operations and arrested on April 14, 2021. While in detention, they were subjected to varying degrees of torture and coercion.
The lawyer argued that the State Council had previously issued a document waiving the approval for Bible distribution, and thus the case did not constitute a crime.
A timeline of the case
The case began on November 20 last year (2023) and lasted nearly 50 days, concluding in early January this year (2024).
- Four Christians, Ji Heying, Ji Guolong, Liu Wei, and Zhang Wang, were released on bail on April 14, 2024, and returned home.
- Wang Honglan, Wang Jiale, Liu Minna, and Yang Zhijun remain in custody.
- Ban Yanhong pleaded guilty and was directly sentenced to five years in prison, with the term ending in April 2026.
Faithful witnesses of Christ during the Trial
During the trial, several Christians bore strong witness to their faith, which deeply moved the lawyers and Christians who came from all over the country to observe.
A defense lawyer stated,
“We do not want to see our brothers and sisters suffer, nor do we want to see others live under God’s wrath. Wang Honglan and others have helped countless families and students, benefiting society. We hope the government will respect the faith of Christians and stop persecuting and oppressing them.”
(Reported by Lemon, a special correspondent for ChinaAid)