CNHRA EVENT RECORD · CNHRA-E-320618
Zhang Chunlei: Ren’ai Church Case, Five-Year Term and Release in 2026
Date
2021-03
Location
Guiyang, Guizhou
Event Type
Detention · Trial · Sentencing · Release
Human Rights Issues
Freedom of Religion or Belief · Freedom of Expression · Right to Liberty and Security · Right to a Fair Trial
Record ID
CNHRA-E-320618
Summary
ChinaAid records a November 2022 hearing and July 24, 2024 judgment: three and a half years for inciting subversion and two for fraud, combined into five, with financial measures.[1]
Description
ChinaAid records a November 2022 hearing and July 24, 2024 judgment: three and a half years for inciting subversion and two for fraud, combined into five, with financial measures.[1]
Reporting describes Yang Aiqing’s admission to sentencing while other believers were blocked. Relatives and believers raised objections over access and transparency.[1][2]
The appeal ruling was dated October 25, 2024 and the family learned of it in December. ChinaAid’s March 18, 2026 report records release on March 16.[2][3]
Developments
Detained after visiting a police station
ChinaAid recounts Zhang’s custody after he went to inquire about detained Bible-study participants. Later allegations concerned offerings and church activity.[1]
Combined five-year sentence imposed
Guiyang’s intermediate court imposed three and a half years for inciting subversion and two for fraud, combined into five, with financial measures. ChinaAid reported it on July 29.[1]
Reported date of appeal ruling
ChinaAid dates the appellate ruling to this day and reports that the family learned in December that the sentence stood.[2]
Release reported after sentence completion
ChinaAid’s March 18 report records release on March 16 after five years.[3]
Related People
Organizations
No organizations have been added.
Documents
No documents have been added to this record yet.
Sources
- [1]
CNHRA-S-471296ChinaAid
Evidence location: Body: 2021 custody, 2022 trial and combined five-year term on July 24, 2024.
- [2]
CNHRA-S-618916ChinaAid
Evidence location: Opening: ruling dated October 25; family learned on December 8.
- [3]
CNHRA-S-288463ChinaAid
Evidence location: Opening: actual release on March 16, 2026; subsequent Ren’ai church background.