Ren Zhong (Wang Cong’s husband): The evidence in the Zion 109 case is insufficient; all people in custody should be released immediately, coercive measures lifted, and prolonged detention ended to achieve justice under the law

On October 22, 2026, the Zion 109 case once again received a decision to postpone the trial from the People’s Court of Yinhai District, Beihai City

Problems:

1/ The case is now at the trial stage in court. Yet, without holding a hearing, the procuratorate has actually recommended postponing the trial, which completely defies legal logic.

If you brought the case to court, that means you believe the evidence is indeed sufficient. Now, conducting a supplementary investigation before holding a hearing shows that your evidence is insufficient. How unlawful can this conduct be?

2/ At the procuratorate, 331 volumes of case files (not to mention the many discs) were hurriedly sent to the court in just one month. There was simply no time to finish reviewing the files and video recordings, let alone carefully examine whether the conditions for prosecution were met; the defense counsel and defendant were not heard as required by law (with their views recorded in the case file or attached to it); and the circumstances of the victims were not verified…

Isn’t this blatant procedural illegality followed by an abuse of power?

Under the principle of presumption of innocence, when the evidence proving the defendant’s guilt is insufficient and reasonable doubt exists about the facts of the case, the decision must favor the defendant—no prosecution or an acquittal—not continued detention, continued supplementary investigation, or continued “searching for evidence.”

Detaining criminal suspects for a prolonged period and then seeking to supplement evidence that should have been in place before prosecution is, in essence, treating “suspects” as “criminals.” It is a typical case of presuming guilt.

The practice of presuming guilt infringes personal liberty, and any legal outcome it produces cannot be called just!

We call for:

1. An investigation into and correction of procedural violations at the prosecution review stage. We firmly believe that handling cases strictly in accordance with the law and implementing the principle of deciding in favor of the accused when in doubt are the only correct ways to uphold judicial fairness and protect citizens’ lawful rights.

2. The procuratorial organs should immediately withdraw the indictment and issue decisions not to prosecute those in custody.

3. The evidence is insufficient; all people in custody should be released immediately, coercive measures lifted, and prolonged detention ended to achieve justice under the law.