On May 26, 2025, the Shandong Provincial Public Security Department and the Jinan Municipal Public Security Bureau jointly carried out a coordinated arrest operation targeting The Church of Almighty God (CAG) in Jinan. Seventeen Christians were arrested in a single day. On June 1, 2026, the People’s Court of Zhangqiu District in Jinan unlawfully sentenced 14 of them to prison on the charge of “using a cult organization to undermine the implementation of the law.”
Reportedly, these 14 Christians included an 80-year-old Christian, a pregnant woman, a church member suffering from a serious illness, and three college students. Their prison terms ranged from two years to three years and six months, and they were collectively fined RMB 51,000 (approx. USD 7,600).
Nearly 80-Year-Old Christian Sentenced to Two Years in Prison
On May 26, 2025, at around 5:00 a.m., police forcibly pried open the door and broke into the home of Zhong Lian (female, aged 79 at the time). They found RMB 2,100 (approx. USD 315) in living expenses that Zhong’s son had given her, together with a cell phone, then took Zhong to a local police station for interrogation. She was released that same day. Afterward, police required her to report to the police station and sign in every week. They also showed her photographs of other Christians and ordered her to identify them. On June 1, 2026, the People’s Court of Zhangqiu District convicted Zhong Lian of “using a cult organization to undermine the implementation of the law” based on her faith in Almighty God and her hosting of Christian gatherings. The court unlawfully sentenced her to two years in prison and fined her RMB 3,000 (approx. USD 450).
Armed Police Put Christians Under Arrest; Pregnant Believer Sentenced to Two Years
On May 26, 2025, at around 10:00 p.m., more than a dozen police officers broke into the home of Zhao Yun (female, aged 36 at the time). One officer pointed a gun at her husband’s head. The officers then searched the residence, terrifying Zhao, her husband, their child, and her mother-in-law.
After Zhao was taken away, she was released on May 27. On June 29, she was taken away by police again and detained at a local police station for seven days, where she was subjected to brainwashing. By the time she was released, she had lost more than 10 pounds.
Zhao became pregnant in September 2025. On June 1, 2026, shortly before her due date, the People’s Court of Zhangqiu District sentenced her to two years in prison and fined her RMB 3,000 (approx. USD 450). Because she was pregnant, she was ordered to begin serving her sentence when her child reached one year of age. Facing the prospect of being separated from her child, Zhao was deeply distressed and under severe emotional pressure. On the evening of June 10, she underwent a cesarean section after going into premature labor. After birth, the baby was transferred to an ICU ward.
Seriously Ill Christian Sentenced to Three Years and Three Months
Christian Yan Fang (female, aged 53 at the time) suffered from severe stomach problems. For a long time, she vomited whatever she ate and was severely malnourished, weighing only about 35 kilograms. Because of dental problems, she also had difficulty eating normally. When she was arrested on May 26, 2025, police officers placed heavy shackles on her legs.
On June 1, 2026, the People’s Court of Zhangqiu District sentenced Yan to three years and three months in prison and fined her RMB 4,000 (approx. USD 600) for actively attending gatherings and providing other Christians with faith-related materials. Liu Qin, a Christian who was sentenced along with Yan, said, “When I saw Yan Fang again, I could hardly recognize her. Her face was sallow and she had become extremely thin. Her hair was disheveled and had turned completely gray.” Yan also has a father in his 90s who is extremely worried about her health.
Three College Students Unlawfully Sentenced to Prison
After 21-year-old Su Yuanyuan was monitored and arrested by police because of her faith in God, her family repeatedly sought to hire a lawyer. However, lawyers said that the case was sensitive and were afraid to take it. The police also used family ties to pressure Su. They had her father contact relatives and friends and ask them to record videos urging her to abandon her faith. The police then repeatedly played these videos for her. During repeated interrogations by police, Su refused to provide any information. Police officers became furious and threatened to have her sentenced directly.
On June 1, 2026, the People’s Court of Zhangqiu District sentenced Su to three years and six months in prison for actively attending gatherings and helping other Christians copy faith-related materials. Two other 21-year-old Christians, Liu Jia and Zhang Ru, were each sentenced to two years and six months in prison and fined RMB 4,000 (approx. USD 600).
Of the remaining eight Christians, 63-year-old Zhu Fanglian was sentenced to two years in prison and fined RMB 3,000 (approx. USD 450). Chen Aimei, Jiang Yan, Xu Li, Zhang Xiuqin, Feng Ying, Cao Fen, and Liu Qin were sentenced to prison terms ranging from two years to three years and six months in prison and fined between RMB 3,000 and RMB 5,000 (approx. USD 450 – 750) .
Note: All names in this report are pseudonyms.
