Beijing Zion Church “10·9” Case Family Group of 18 Detained Pastors and Fellow Workers: Update on the Beijing Zion Church “10·9” Case (April 16, 2026)
Among the 18 pastors and fellow workers detained in the Beijing Zion Church“10·9” case,they remain held in the First and Second Detention Centers of Beihai City,Guangxi,on suspicion of “the crime of illegally using information networks”,and the case has now entered its 188th day。
1、For more than six months,the families have never received a clear response regarding the case,and their right to know has not been safeguarded。Today,a lawyer called the case management department of the Yinhai District Procuratorate to inquire,and was told that the case had again been postponed for two months。Under the law,major cases may apply for an extension to investigate and collect evidence,and the case has now entered the seventh month of the extension period,but we have still not received any formal written notification。
At the end of March,the detainees learned from the case officers that they had entered the stage of “final questioning”,but the specific circumstances remain unclear。
At present,those among the detainees who are in serious health condition still have not received effective medical care;the weather is hot,and malnutrition,combined with the poor accommodation conditions,is cause for concern。
2、In late March,some of the sisters held in the Second Detention Center received Bibles。However,because defense lawyers have continued to face illegal suppression,normal meetings cannot be guaranteed,and we are unable to obtain comprehensive and timely information feedback。
3、The elderly parents of some of the detained pastors have been subjected to visits at their homes by relevant departments to harass and threaten them,causing the elderly to be frightened and leaving their physical health and emotional well-being a matter of concern。
4、The wives and young children of some of the detained pastors have been confronted by several unidentified individuals who suddenly broke into their homes and threatened them,demanding that they “not go out casually,and that if they need to go out they must report to the local police station”。
5、The team of lawyers providing legal assistance to our relatives continues to face extremely vicious suppression。Every lawyer is facing threats to varying degrees, including investigations,random inspections during annual license reviews,being summoned for talks,and disciplinary warnings,as well as being forced to suspend operations,having their licenses revoked,or having their lawyers’ licenses canceled。
6、Postcards and books mailed by relatives and friends to the detained pastors and fellow workers have been returned one after another,and the detainees’ right to communicate has been trampled upon。
We strongly condemn all conduct that violates the Constitution and the law,and call for genuine respect for the rights granted to citizens by the Constitution and laws of the country。
We also continue to pray urgently for our innocent family members to be released without charge。
May justice roll on like a mighty river,and righteousness like a never-failing stream; may light and goodness be manifested on this land。
Beijing Zion Church“10·9” Case Family Group of 18 Detained Pastors and Fellow Workers 2026.4.16
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