My Husband Is Not a Fraud

Editor’s note: This letter is from an expectant mom whose husband is in jail for tithing to his house church. In her powerful plea, she outlines the injustice her husband has faced, and pleads for him to be released and return home soon.

This letter has been edited and condensed for clarity and length


A Sudden Blow

>
“From the first day we met, I knew he was kind and warm, a man of integrity.

My husband is local to the area, where he grew up in a Christian family. From the first day we met, I knew he was kind and warm, a man of integrity. We went to college together, and after graduation, got married. We started a family and a business. Our life is gradually improving. Although we are not rich, we are content, and feel no lack. We now have a 3-year-old daughter, and I am currently almost nine months pregnant with our second child. We were joyfully awaiting that baby’s arrival. My husband worked even harder than before, and took good care of me and our family.

But this autumn, our peaceful life was shattered. One day, my husband was forcibly taken away by police officers from the local branch of the Public Security Bureau. This happened at his workplace. The next day, I received a notice of “residential surveillance at a designated location.” [This charge allows authorities to hold suspects for up to six months at black jails, and to deny them access to a lawyer. It is a type of secret detention.]  A week later, my husband was placed under criminal detention. Now he is facing arrest for “fraud.” The reason for all this? My husband merely attended Christian gatherings as a believer, and gave tithes.

“Residential Surveillance at a Designated Location”

I was shocked when I got this notice of his detention. Is my husband a “fraudster”? Who did he defraud? How did he do that? Where has he been detained? In order to find out what really happened, I hired a lawyer to defend him.


Never miss a story

Sign up to receive our weekly email with our original articles.

Two mornings after he was arrested, the lawyer went to the law enforcement agencies to find out the details of the case. He also requested to meet with my husband. The lawyer objected, both verbally and in writing, to my husband’s “residential surveillance at a designated location.” The local branch of the Bureau explained residential surveillance was necessary due to quarantine from the pandemic. After the pandemic calmed down, my husband would be sent to a detention center. But our lawyer did not agree with this explanation. He thought that this enforcement was illegal.

Although I was not familiar with the law, I was lucky to have the Internet. Through searching, I gained some legal knowledge. Article 75 of China’s “Criminal Procedure Law” clearly states that “residential surveillance at a designated location” is only to happen in two situations; if the suspect does not live locally; or if the crime involves national security or terrorist activities.

My husband’s case fits neither of these situations. Our family has a fixed residence downtown. When I received the notice of his detention, it had our home address on it, which means the Public Security Bureau knows our residence. Second, the alleged fraud in my husband’s case is certainly not a crime endangering national security or involving terrorist activities. As it does not comply with the law, my husband’s “residential surveillance at a designated location” is illegal. The Public Security Bureau is a law enforcement agency, but are they knowingly breaking the law? Is the pandemic an excuse for not following the law?

>
“My husband did not cheat other Christians. He also never illegally possessed other people’s money. Not only did he not cheat others out of money, but he also donated a portion of his own income.

I read online that the legal rights of suspects detained using residential surveillance cannot be fully protected during interrogation, as the police investigation will not be effectively supervised. Our lawyer filed several written complaints. After a week, we received a letter from the district confirming it was illegal to place my husband under “residential surveillance at a designated location.”

Did They Want to Hide Something?

“Residential surveillance” is essentially a restriction on lawyer visitation. This proved true in my husband’s case. When our lawyer went to the bureau and asked to meet with my husband, the agency who was handling the case refused his visitation on the grounds of pandemic quarantine.

According to the law, my husband’s lawyer has the right to visit him. For what reason would the agency prevent him from visiting? Did they want to hide something? Is there something they do not want the lawyer to know? Thinking about this, I became even more worried about my husband’s situation. Our lawyer filed several written complaints, and after a few days, he received a letter confirming that the local branch had illegally restricted his visitation, violating the attorney’s practicing rights. The letter ordered the case-handling authorities to correct themselves.

Tithing Is Not Fraud

I checked the criminal law for the People’s Republic of China. The law defines “fraud” as the act of illegally obtaining possession by using fabricated facts or concealing the truth, or in order to deceive and obtain a large amount of property. My husband did not cheat other Christians. He also never illegally possessed other people’s money. Not only did he not cheat others out of money, but he also donated a portion of his own income.

The Christian faith teaches us to give. Christians understand the nature of giving, and their donations are completely voluntary. Tithing is a 2,000-year-old tradition within the church, and is practiced by Christians all over the world. How is this illegal and criminal?

>
“I am overwhelmed with worries because of my husband’s case. Not only am I worried because of the charges against him, but also because of the way public security authorities are handling the case.

Will He Be Treated Justly?

I am also a Christian. The Bible teaches Christians to respect the authority of the government, and to pray for those who are in high positions. But now I am overwhelmed with worries because of my husband’s case. Not only am I worried because of the charges against him, but also because of the way public security authorities are handling the case. They have used so many practices that are not in accordance with the law. Will my husband be treated justly?

I am now more than 8 months pregnant. There is only about a month left before I go into labor. I am also taking care of our 3-year-old daughter alone. During my daughter’s birth, I went through a very dangerous situation and had to deliver her by cesarean section after I failed to deliver her naturally. After that, I had an ectopic pregnancy. Now I am expected to have a cesarean section to deliver our second child. My husband is detained and not by my side. He is unable to accompany me through this most difficult and dangerous time.

I hope this case will draw more attention, and that he will come home to us soon.


Li Zhiyu is a pseudonym for the wife of a Christian man imprisoned on charges of fraud for tithing to his church. She and her husband have a young daughter, and she is currently expecting her second child.

 

FOR PRAYER AND REFLECTION

Prayer request

Share This Story

Further Reading

xiaoyang-ou-RGQ2jJodSWc-unsplash
A Peaceful World: The Story of An Ning, Part 1
Read More
wim-van-t-einde-PupvsDtj1Pc-unsplash
Reformation and Gospel (With Chinese Characteristics)
Read More
alexander-schimmeck-B4TFUZcBif4-unsplash
Xi'an: New Perspective on the City
Read More

LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT IN CHINA

With rising pressure and persecution in China, there are two challenges imperative for church leaders. The first challenge is for current leaders to love Christ above all else, and not to stray into legalism or love of the world. The second challenge is to raise up the next generation of leaders, who will humbly model Jesus even if current leaders are arrested.

WILL YOU JOIN US IN PRAYING FOR LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT IN CHINA? PRAY FOR:

  1. Current leaders to grow in their daily walks with Christ
  2. Current leaders to shepherd and raise up new leaders
  3. New leaders who love Christ and will model him to the world
  4. New leaders to love and care for the church

Videos

ABOUT LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT

About Shenyang

Shenyang is a city located in northeastern China and is the capital of Liaoning Province. It is known for its rich history and cultural heritage, including the Shenyang Imperial Palace, which is a UNESCO World Heritage site. Shenyang is also a hub for China’s heavy industry, with companies such as the China First Automobile Group and the Shenyang Aircraft Corporation having their headquarters in the city.

Videos

Stories from Shenyang

About Qingdao

Qingdao is a city located in eastern China and is famous for its beaches, beer, and seafood. The city is home to several landmarks, including the Zhanqiao Pier and the Badaguan Scenic Area. Qingdao is also a major port and has a thriving economy, with industries such as electronics, petrochemicals, and machinery.

Videos

Stories from Qingdao

About Xiamen

Xiamen is a city located in southeastern China and is a popular tourist destination known for its beautiful coastal scenery, including Gulangyu Island, which is a UNESCO World Heritage site. The city is also a hub for China’s high-tech industry, with companies such as Huawei and ZTE having research and development centers in Xiamen.

Videos

Stories from Xiamen

About Chongqing

Chongqing is a city located in southwestern China and is a major economic center in the region. The city is known for its spicy cuisine, especially its hot pot dishes, and is also famous for the Three Gorges Dam, the world’s largest hydroelectric dam. Chongqing is also home to several historic sites, including the Dazu Rock Carvings, which are UNESCO World Heritage sites.

Videos

Stories from Chongqing

About Nanjing

Nanjing is a city located in eastern China and is the capital of Jiangsu Province. It is one of China’s ancient capitals and has a rich cultural history, including the Ming Xiaoling Mausoleum, the Nanjing City Wall, and the Confucius Temple. Nanjing is also a modern city with a thriving economy and is home to several universities, including Nanjing University and Southeast University.

Videos

Stories from Nanjing

About Changchun

Changchun is a city located in northeastern China and is the capital of Jilin Province. It is known for its rich cultural heritage and is home to several historical landmarks such as the Puppet Emperor’s Palace and the Jingyuetan National Forest Park. Changchun is also a hub for China’s automotive industry, with several major automobile manufacturers having their headquarters in the city.

Videos

Stories from Changchun

About Guangzhou

Guangzhou, also known as Canton, is a city located in southern China and is the capital of Guangdong Province. It is one of the country’s largest and most prosperous cities, serving as a major transportation and trading hub for the region. Guangzhou is renowned for its modern architecture, including the Canton Tower and the Guangzhou Opera House, as well as its Cantonese cuisine, which is famous for its variety and bold flavors. The city also has a rich history, with landmarks such as the Chen Clan Ancestral Hall, the Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall, and the Temple of the Six Banyan Trees. Additionally, Guangzhou hosts the annual Canton Fair, the largest trade fair in China.

Videos

Stories from Guangzhou

About Kunming

Kunming is a city located in southwest China and is the capital of Yunnan Province. Known as the “City of Eternal Spring” for its mild climate, Kunming is a popular tourist destination due to its natural beauty and cultural diversity. The city is home to several scenic spots, including the UNESCO World Heritage Site of the Stone Forest, Dian Lake, and the Western Hills. Kunming is also famous for its unique cuisine, which features a mix of Han, Yi, and Bai ethnic flavors. The city has a rich cultural history, with ancient temples and shrines like the Yuantong Temple and the Golden Temple, and it’s also a hub for Yunnan’s ethnic minority cultures, such as the Yi and Bai peoples.

Videos

Stories from Kunming

About Shenzhen

Shenzhen is a city located in southeastern China and is one of the country’s fastest-growing metropolises. The city is renowned for its thriving tech industry, with companies such as Huawei, Tencent, and DJI having their headquarters in Shenzhen. The city also has a vibrant cultural scene, with numerous museums, art galleries, and parks. Shenzhen is also known for its modern architecture, such as the Ping An Finance Center and the Shenzhen Bay Sports Center. Despite its modernization, Shenzhen also has a rich history and cultural heritage, with landmarks such as the Dapeng Fortress and the Chiwan Tin Hau Temple.

Videos

Stories from Shenzhen

About Chengdu

Chengdu is a city located in the southwestern region of China, and the capital of Sichuan province. It has a population of over 18 million people, and it is famous for its spicy Sichuan cuisine, laid-back lifestyle, and its cute and cuddly residents – the giant pandas. Chengdu is home to the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding, where visitors can observe these adorable creatures in their natural habitat. The city also boasts a rich cultural heritage, with numerous temples, museums, and historical sites scattered throughout its boundaries. Chengdu is a city of contrasts, with ancient traditions coexisting alongside modern developments, making it an intriguing and fascinating destination for visitors to China. 

Videos

Stories from Chengdu

About Beijing

Beijing is the capital city of China and one of the most populous cities in the world, with a population of over 21 million people. The city has a rich history that spans over 3,000 years, and it has served as the capital of various dynasties throughout China’s history. Beijing is home to some of the most iconic landmarks in China, including the Great Wall, the Forbidden City, and the Temple of Heaven. The city is also a hub for political, cultural, and educational activities, with numerous universities and research institutions located within its boundaries. Beijing is renowned for its traditional architecture, rich cuisine, and vibrant cultural scene, making it a must-visit destination for travelers to China.

Videos

Stories from Beijing

About Shanghai

Shanghai is a vibrant and dynamic city located on the eastern coast of China. It is the largest city in China and one of the most populous cities in the world, with a population of over 24 million people. Shanghai is a global financial hub and a major center for international trade, with a rich history and culture that spans over 1,000 years. The city is famous for its iconic skyline, which features towering skyscrapers such as the Oriental Pearl Tower and the Shanghai Tower. Shanghai is also home to a diverse culinary scene, world-class museums and art galleries, and numerous shopping districts. It is a city that is constantly evolving and reinventing itself, making it a fascinating destination for visitors from around the world.

Videos

Stories from Shanghai

give

A short message about partnering with us.