Months of stalled proceedings, disputed charges, and an unexpected clash inside a courthouse reveal the climate surrounding those who defend detained pastors.
by Tao Niu
The case involving Pastor Gao Quanfu and the leaders of Zion’s Light Church has entered a new phase. After the 2025 detentions, authorities in Xi’an pursued fresh accusations against Pastor Gao, Pastor Tang Bingyi, and Pastor Gao’s wife, Pang Yu. They separated the cases and filed them under fraud, extending the legal process far beyond statutory limits. More than eight months have passed without a verdict, and the prolonged custody has become a central concern for the families and their legal representatives.
As they reported, a group of well‑known human‑rights lawyers, including Wang Quanzhang, Bao Longjun, Lu Siwei, Peng Yonghe, Jiang Tianyong, Chang Weiping, and Wang Yu, traveled to the Xi’an Intermediate People’s Court to submit formal complaints. They aimed to challenge the delays, the case handling, and the obstacles placed before the defense. During an earlier visit, a judge surnamed Gao urged them to contact the presiding judge and the court president, citing limited time. This request prompted the lawyers to return on September 15, the date set for a pre‑trial meeting in Pastor Tang’s case.
The situation escalated at the Beilin District Court. Court police blocked the lawyers’ entry, and the confrontation intensified. Attorney Bao Longjun had already passed the security check when an officer pushed him and forced him outside the building. Attorney Wang Yu attempted to record the incident to document the obstruction, yet an officer seized her phone. Another officer accused the lawyers of threatening law‑enforcement personnel, an allegation that added further tension to the scene.
The lawyers called 110. Officers from the Taibai Road Police Station arrived after a delay and stated that they had spoken with Judge Luo, who oversees the case. Once the police left, Judge Luo denied any communication with them. The lawyers questioned the prolonged detention and asked whether an extension had been formally approved. Judge Luo acknowledged that such approval existed but insisted there was no obligation to inform the defense. This exchange deepened concerns about procedural violations and how the authorities treated the lawyers representing the detained pastors.
The defense team issued a statement describing the situation as a breach of criminal‑procedure guarantees. They argued that the authorities disregarded legal deadlines, mishandled jurisdiction, and interfered with lawyers’ ability to do their work. They plan to keep filing complaints through official channels, addressing both the violence inside the courthouse and the irregularities in how the case was handled.
The developments surrounding Zion’s Light Church add to the pressures already faced by Pastor Gao, whose ministry has long been targeted by local authorities. His earlier work, including the documentary “From Xi’an to Zion,” chronicled his gospel team’s journeys and the challenges they faced. Another documentary, “History of the Northwest Spiritual Workers Group,” offered a historical account of evangelization efforts in western regions. These projects, along with his leadership in pastors’ gatherings and prayer meetings, placed him at the center of a community that has endured repeated interference.
The new accusations, the extended detention, and the confrontation in court form a single chain of events that illustrates the environment in which house church leaders and their defenders operate. The families of the detained pastors continue to seek justice, supported by lawyers who insist on lawful procedure despite the obstacles they encounter. Their efforts persist, sustained by the conviction that due process must be upheld even in cases burdened by pressure and uncertainty.
Uses a pseudonym for security reasons.
