His only crime is his consistent refusal to join the government-controlled Three Self Church.
By Ma Wenyan
March 6, 2025
The family of imprisoned preacher Ma Yan has been told that from February 10, 2025, the Jinfeng District Court is “proceeding” with his case, but no verdict has been announced at the time of this writing.
Ma, born on June 6, 1992, in Zhenxiong County, Zhaotong City, Yunnan Province, is a resident of Xixia District, Yinchuan City, Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region. He serves as a preacher for a house church in the Jinfeng District of Yinchuan City.
Ma embraced Christianity during his university years and subsequently established a house church in the Jinfeng District of Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region. He has consistently declined to join the government-affiliated Three-Self Church.
On August 9, 2024, during a Bible study session led by Ma at a homestay in Jinfeng District, Yinchuan City, a group of approximately ten individuals was suddenly apprehended by the Yinchuan Jinfeng District police alongside local community police officers. Two Christians were placed under administrative detention for seven days due to charges of “disturbing public order,” while Ma, along with another member, received a ten-day administrative detention for the same offense at the Yinchuan Detention Center.
On August 20, despite his family being notified of his release from administrative detention, he was criminally detained for “organizing an illegal gathering” and sent to Yinchuan City Detention Center.
On September 29, he was formally arrested by the Jinfeng District Procuratorate of Yinchuan City for “organizing an illegal gathering.” His case was prosecuted and transferred to the Jinfeng District Court on January 27, 2025.
After some skirmishes on the competence of the court, it seems his case will now be tried by the Jinfeng District Court. Several human rights organizations are advocating for his release.
Source: bitterwinter.org
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