This is persecution.
Elder Zhang Chunlei of the Guiyang Ren’ai Reformed Church in Guiyang, Guizhou Province, China, has been sentenced to five years in prison for “subversion of state power” and “fraud.” The verdict, delivered by the Guiyang Intermediate People’s Court on July 24, followed a tightly controlled court session with restricted public access, according to Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW).
Zhang’s legal troubles began on March 16, 2021, when he was detained after visiting a police station to inquire about 10 church members arrested during a raid on a retreat. Initially charged with fraud, Zhang was later accused of “inciting subversion of state power” in January 2022. He has been in detention since his formal arrest on May 1, 2021, and his health has deteriorated significantly due to liver cirrhosis, a condition only recently revealed to his family.
During his detention, Zhang developed cholecystitis and was hospitalized in August 2023, where he received extended treatment before being diagnosed with liver cirrhosis. Despite his severe health issues, Zhang was returned to prison, raising concerns about his well-being and the adequacy of medical care in the prison setting.
The court sentenced Zhang to three years and six months for subversion and two years for fraud, with the total sentence set to include time already served, leading to a release date of March 16, 2026. He is also required to repay 14,400 yuan (about $2,000) and pay an additional fine of 5,000 yuan ($700).
CSW has condemned the charges and sentencing, arguing that they are baseless and calling for Zhang’s immediate release and compensation for his suffering. This case is seen as part of a broader campaign by the Chinese government under President Xi Jinping to control Protestant churches and enforce conformity with state-sanctioned religious organizations. Open Doors reports that this persecution of Christians, including those in unregistered house churches, is part of a wider effort to regulate religious practices through stringent laws and digital surveillance.