Three Believers from Panshi Bible Christian Church in Yueyang, Hunan, Transferred to Criminal Detention; Families and Lawyers Report Restricted Meetings

On July 30, 2026, this outlet learned from sources at Panshi Bible Christian Church in Yueyang, Hunan, that the church’s Pastor Huang Lei, Brother Yang Jianjun, and Brother Hu Hongtao were placed under 15 days of administrative detention by local police on July 11, 2026, on suspicion of “illegally organizing religious activities.” After the administrative detention period expired, the three were not released, but were instead transferred to criminal detention on suspicion of “the crime of illegally using information networks.” They are currently being held in a detention center.

As of now, the three have been in the detention center for two days. The church said that Pastor Huang Lei has completed an initial meeting with a lawyer; however, Brother Hu Hongtao and Brother Yang Jianjun have still been unable to meet with lawyers or family members, and further information about their specific circumstances is pending.

According to the church, the three men’s family and health conditions have also drawn attention. Pastor Huang Lei’s wife has been ill for a long time and requires ongoing care; Brother Hu Hongtao’s wife is currently 33 weeks pregnant, and while her husband is detained, she also received notice that her father was critically ill, placing the family under considerable pressure; Brother Yang Jianjun has secondary pulmonary tuberculosis and is currently being held under supervision in the supervised area of Guangji Hospital.

The church said it hopes that all sectors of society will continue to follow the progress of the case, and called on the relevant authorities to protect the parties’ lawful rights and interests in accordance with the law, including ensuring lawyers’ right to meet with detainees and related procedural rights in accordance with the law. At the same time, the church also invited brothers and sisters to continue praying for the three brothers and their families, asking God to grant them peace, healing, comfort, and strength, and to ensure that the case is handled fairly and in accordance with the law.

At present, the relevant local authorities have not issued any further public explanation regarding the case, which remains under investigation and processing.