Pastor Wang Yi, the detained leader of Early Rain Covenant Church in Sichuan province in China, has been secretly tried.
According to Christian religious freedom charity China Aid, Pastor Wang was secretly tried on 26th December, the same day as his wife’s birthday.
The charity said the verdict has not yet been announced.
It added: “The trial occurred at the Chengdu Intermediate Court.
“A large amount of plainclothes officials were stationed near the court, according to one witness who was detained and later released. Only government appointed lawyers were at the trial, according to information.
“No members of Pastor Wang's family or members of Early Rain Covenant Church were invited to the proceedings.”
The pastor was arrested in December 2018 for “inciting subversion” and was later charged in July for “illegal business activity”.
He was detained along with his wife more than 100 other members of Early Rain Covenant Church, many of whom have since been released on bail.
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Article by Tola Mbakwe
Tola Mbakwe is a multimedia journalist for Premier.
