(Xi’an, Shaanxi province – February 17, 2025) According to reports, a pre-trial conference was held on February 7, 2025, for the “fraud” case against Pastor Lian Changnian and his son Pastor Lian Xuliang of Xi’an Church of Abundance, and Preacher Fu Juan.
Defense lawyers pointed out multiple flaws in the prosecution’s charges, with clear evidence of torture during the defendants’ detention, and among multiple alleged “victims” cited by the prosecution, only one appeared in court and publicly denied being a “victim.” Lawyers requested bail for the three defendants. The main points of the meeting were as follows:
Defense lawyers request prosecution to explain the situation about “victims“.
While the case involves numerous “victims,” only one attended the pre-trial conference. Additionally, no signatures or related materials from these victims were found in any case files. Lawyers requested the prosecution to provide reasonable explanation and legal basis. The prosecution responded that all persons questioned by police were classified as “victims” (even if some didn’t consider themselves victims). The prosecution did not provide relevant legal basis.
Defense lawyers asked the three defendants whether they had been informed of their rights and obligations related to pleading guilty and accepting punishment.
Pastor Lian Changnian said: “I haven’t slept for eighteen months. Someone wanted to kill me. You can check the surveillance video footage from Room 106. I didn’t die because God protected me.”
Pastor Lian Xuliang said: “It’s been too long, I can’t remember clearly.”
Preacher Fu Juan said: “They did inform me, but they said: if you plead guilty you’ll get 2 years, if not, you’ll get 5 years.”
Defense lawyers apply for bail for three defendants.
Lian Changnian’s mental state has been severely damaged, showing signs of confusion; Lian Xuliang has suffered physical and mental abuse; Fu Juan has two children at home with no one to care for them, and crucially, there are instances of illegal violence in this case.
Defense lawyers requested the only “victim” present to speak
Sister Qin Wen, the only “victim” present, explained to the judge that this was her first time attending a pre-trial conference due to her faith. The three defendants are her family, not fraudsters, and they helped and encouraged her when she was down. She emphasized that her contributions to the church were voluntary offerings, not obtained through fraud. Lian Changnian, Lian Xuliang, and Fu Juan followed Biblical teachings, and their teachings led her to love her country, friends, and family. Qin Wen said she is a teacher and believes the law will provide a fair and just ruling.
On August 17, 2022, Pastor Lian Changnian, Pastor Lian Xuliang, and Preacher Fu Juan of Xi’an Church of Abundance were detained on suspicion of “fraud.” After two and a half years of detention, the Baqiao District People’s Court of Xi’an finally held a pre-trial conference for this case on February 7, 2025.
(Reported by Special Correspondent Ningmeng for ChinaAid)
