Christians stand trial on false cult charges

A court in China’s Yunnan province tried seven Christians falsely accused of cult crimes on April 27.

Seven Christians stood trial in Chuxiong, Yunnan, in late April, combatting charges of “organizing and using
evil cults to disrupt law enforcement.” Authorities alleged that they participated in the Three Grades of Servants group, a religious organization the Chinese government regards as a cult, because they openly practiced their Christian faith.

Before the hearing, the lawyers hired by the defendants demanded to meet with the accused, and the government finally granted their request. They asked bailiffs to stand near the door, where they could watch the defendants but not overhear conversations. After a fierce argument, one lawyer was thrown out of court before being invited back later.

During the prosecution process, the court accused the lawyers of “operating illegally” and “lacking the qualifications of a representative lawyer.”

Yunnan authorities began the crackdown on the Three Grades of Servants in 2016 and took 200 Christians into custody. Currently, 40 are still imprisoned, many have been harshly sentenced, and some of their lawyers are arbitrarily under review. Last December, a court in Lincang, Yunnan, sentenced six Christians to up to 13 years in prison.