(Linfen, Shanxi — May 10, 2025) The trial of Linfen Covenant House Church preachers Li Jie, Han Xiaodong, and Wang Qiang charged with “fraud,” was held on May 8, 2025, at the Yaodu District Court in Linfen City. The hearing has concluded, and all three Christians gave testimony in court. The church is calling on fellow Christians to pray for the final outcome, all glory to God.
Complications imposed by officials on the day of trial
On the day of the trial, multiple church members reported receiving anonymous warning calls. One Christian woman working the night shift was restricted at her work unit. The security outside the courthouse was tight, with many police and plainclothes officers deployed. After accused Preacher Li Jie’s wife, Li Shanshan, his mother Zhang Ruxin, and their two children arrived at the court, they were surrounded by special police and forcibly taken to the Xiangxian Street Police Station. Their current status remains unknown.
Linfen Covenant House Church has expressed deep concern over the incident and urges the public to pay close attention to the case and to pray for all those affected.
The trial began at 9:00 in the morning, Beijing time on May 8, 2025. No verdict was announced that day.
Li Jie had previously participated in the 2018 “A Joint Statement by Pastors” campaign by Pastor Wang Yi and was repeatedly summoned by police after his participation. In recent years, the Linfen authorities have intensified their crackdown on this church. This includes the August 2022 police raid on a “parent-child camp” held by the church, during which Li Jie, Han Xiaodong, and others were taken away by authorities. Subsequently, they were placed under “residential surveillance at a designated location,” and all were accused on suspicion of “fraud,” and were formally arrested in September of the same year. In November of the same year, Linfen Covenant House Church was officially banned by the authorities.
Statement by ChinaAid on the Linfen case
ChinaAid believes this case is a direct punishment of the church’s refusal to join the “Three-Self Patriotic Movement”, the state-sanctioned church body. The fraud charges lack the support of concrete evidence and serve as a political tool to smear the church and cover up religious persecution. ChinaAid calls on the Chinese government to protect religious freedom and stop using criminal charges to interfere with Christian religious activities. ChinaAid also believes that continued punishment of the Linfen Covenant House Church will only further isolate China on the international stage.
(Reported by Special Correspondent Gao Zhensai of ChinaAid)