10/04/2021 China (International Christian Concern) – One of Christians working at an audio Bible seller company arrested for “illegal business operations” has been released on bail, after being detained for the equivalent duration of her sentence.
According to China Aid, Han Li was released on October 1 around noon. Her family informed her attorney Huang Derqi, and Huang showed a release note issued by Shenzhen City Bao’an District Detention Center to China Aid.
The Life Tree Company case has been through several trials and the verdict was finalized on July 16, 2021. As the receptionist, Han obtained the shortest sentence: 15 months. Although Han had attempted to appeal her sentence, since she knew that her detention duration would reach the same length of her sentence in August, she did not pursue this route.
Han’s original attorney, Yang Hui, had to withdraw from Han’s case last February, since he has been targeted by the authorities for defending Christians and Hong Kongers, such as imprisoned pastor John Cao and 12 Hong Kong activists. Huang Derqi took over and pled not guilty for Han, claiming that she was merely an accomplice and did not endanger the society.
Although the Procuratorate in Bao’an District suggested Han’s sentence to be reduced to one year accompanied with fine after Huang’s plea, on July 16, the People’s Court in Bao’an District still sentenced Han to 15 months and 10,000 yuan ($1551 USD).
Han, along with three other Christian employees at Life Tree in China’s Guangdong province: Fu Xuanjuan, Deng Tianyong, and Feng Qunhao, were arrested on July 2, 2020, on charges of “illegal business operations” for selling audio Bible players.
They were first charged on October 23 last year, with suggested sentence for Fu being five years; Deng as the company’s supervisor three years with fine; Feng as the technician also three years with fine; Han as the receptionist/accountant 18 months.
For interviews, please contact Addison Parker: press@persecution.org.
