(Zhenxiong, Yunnan Province – August 15, 2024) The second instance trial for the ‘picking quarrels and provoking trouble’ case against Chang Hao, a preacher from Zhenxiong, was held on the morning of August 9, 2024. Considering Chang Hao’s physical condition and to save him travel expenses, the judge arranged the trial at the Zhenxiong County Court, which surprised and comforted both Chang Hao and his defense lawyer. However, regrettably, the second instance trial was still not open to the public.
Chang Hao, a preacher with a level-two disability, has been summoned by the police multiple times due to his Christian faith and long-term concern for social justice. He was taken away by the Zhenxiong Public Security Bureau on the evening of April 14, 2023, and arrested on May 15 on suspicion of ‘picking quarrels and provoking trouble.’ On November 23, 2023, after his case was returned for further investigation twice, Chang Hao was prosecuted by the procuratorate for ‘picking quarrels and provoking trouble’ at the Zhenxiong County People’s Court. The procuratorate accused him of ‘repeatedly publishing and forwarding false information and inappropriate comments on the internet, causing serious disruption to public order and adverse social impact.’
On May 14, 2024, the Zhenxiong County People’s Court made a first instance criminal judgment on Chang Hao’s case of ‘picking quarrels and provoking trouble.’ Chang Hao received the verdict on the same day, sentencing him to one year and one month in prison. Chang Hao disagreed with the first instance judgment, believing that the facts were unclear, the evidence insufficient, the law was incorrectly applied, and there were serious procedural violations. He filed an appeal to the Zhaotong Intermediate People’s Court of Yunnan Province on May 20, 2024, requesting a fair judgment from the second instance court.
Chang Hao was arrested on April 14, 2023, and the day of the verdict was exactly one year and one month later. Therefore, immediately after the judgment was announced, Chang Hao left the court with his family and church members and filed an appeal through his defense lawyer. The appeal requests: to revoke the criminal judgment ‘(2023) Yun 0627 criminal No. 1151’ made by the Zhenxiong County People’s Court on May 14, 2024, and to acquit the appellant according to law.
The entire process of the second instance trial went smoothly, with the judge hardly interrupting the speeches of Chang Hao and his lawyer.
On May 14, 2024, when the first instance verdict was announced, Chang Hao was released on bail pending trial. For such a case, the possibility of changing the result through appeal is almost zero. Common sense would suggest accepting the outcome. But why does Preacher Chang Hao insist on appealing? He believes this is his legal right and also a way to make his stance clear. His defense lawyer, Lawyer Yuan, also expressed support for him.
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