(Anhui — July 25, 2025) The fraud case involving Elder Ding Zhongfu and Pastor Zhou Songlin of Hefei Ganquan Church in Anhui was once again heard at the Shushan District Court. Bailiffs blocked lawyers and prevented the defendants’ family members and church members from attending the hearing.
According to information from the Kingdom Prayer Network for China’s House Church, on the morning of the 16th, at the gate of the Shushan District Court, bailiffs lined up in three checkpoints, barring brothers and sisters from even entering the main entrance, leaving them anxiously waiting outside.
Zhou Songlin’s wife, Wei Shudie, who had not seen her husband for nearly two years, was also stopped by bailiffs in a rough manner, left heartbroken outside the courthouse. Other brothers and sisters who wanted to attend the hearing, holding their IDs and pleading to attend, were told, “No entry without a reservation.”
During the session, Attorney Zhao Qingshan objected: “Why set up so many barriers for a public trial? From the courthouse entrance to the courtroom, there were three separate inspections, barring those who genuinely need to observe. This is a deprivation of citizens’ right to attend a hearing!”
Inside the courtroom, all the seats in the public gallery were filled. Among the dozens of attendees, only two were relatives of the defendants; the rest were unidentified individuals. The priority seats for the defendants’ family members were taken, while the brothers and sisters of the church were turned away. Although the law clearly guarantees citizens’ right to attend public hearings, the court outrightly ignored this, effectively shutting the gate of justice.
Right To Defense Stripped: The Judge’s Lies and Obstruction
Before the trial, Pastor Zhou Songlin’s defense attorney, Li Guisheng, had filed for a rescheduling due to a scheduling conflict. However, the court only sent a text message denying the request the previous afternoon, leaving him with no time to travel and thus unable to attend the hearing.
Zhou Songlin’s family appointed Attorney Li Yan urgently, who submitted the power of attorney and the family’s statement terminating Li Guisheng’s representation, yet Judge Wu Xiaoshui blocked Attorney Li Yan from entering, citing the need for a law firm-issued documentation certifying the termination of Attorney Li Guisheng.
Attorney Zhao Qingshan questioned:
“Attorney Li Yan has submitted legal procedures. Why is the court demanding additional proof not required by law? Is this not deliberate deprivation of the right to defense?”
Attorney Zhang Kai added,
“It was just yesterday afternoon when the court sent a text denying Attorney Li Guisheng’s rescheduling request, forcing the family to switch to a new lawyer, and now they are deliberately obstructing the process. This is blatantly against the law!”
Pastor Zhou pleaded in court:
“I consent for Attorney Li Yan to represent me. Please let him in!”
Judge Wu Xiaoshui coldly replied: “Without receiving the law firm’s termination letter of Li Guisheng, Li Yan cannot participate.”
In the afternoon, Attorney Zhao Qingshan submitted the document demanded by the judge — a letter from the law firm confirming Li Guisheng’s termination, but Judge Wu Xiaoshui refused to accept it, claiming that scanned copies had no legal effect.
Attorney Zhao Qingshan accused the judge of deceit:
“This morning, the court promised over the phone that a scanned copy would suffice. Li Yan submitted it, and you immediately went back on your word. This is outright lying! We demand to play the recorded phone call between you and Li Yan from this morning in court to prove you lied and deliberately stripped away the right to a defense!”
The judge refused to allow the recording to be played and continued to push the trial forward.
Their request was absolutely rejected by the judge.
The lawyers collectively called for the recusal of the judicial panel, arguing that Judge Wu Xiaoshui’s deprivation of the public’s access to the hearing and right to defense, blatant lying, and suspected criminal conduct clearly violated the law and compromised a fair trial.
The Cry of Justice: God’s Sovereignty
The July 16 session was tumultuous, marked by numerous procedural violations. Bailiffs blocked access, seats were occupied, the right to a defense was stripped, and recusal motions were summarily denied, leaving justice tarnished. We denounce the illegal actions of the judicial panel and call for a thorough investigation. Please pray for us, that God’s sovereignty may reign, that justice may flow like a river and the innocent be freed!
Ganquan Church in Hefei is a house church with over twenty years of history. Pastor Zhou Songlin and Elder Ding Zhongfu were arrested on November 30, 2023. That morning, sixteen church members, including Zhou Songlin and Ding Zhongfu, were abruptly taken away during home raids. Fourteen were later released on bail, but Pastor Zhou and Elder Ding have remained in detention on suspicion of fraud charges.
In recent years, house churches across China have faced criminal prosecution under “fraud” charges for accepting tithes and offerings during Sunday worship.
(ChinaAid Association)