XINJIANG PROVINCE, China — Lawyers for two Christians arrested in 2023 for posting their testimonies on WeChat Moments have been denied access to electronic data related to the case.
The rights group ChinaAid says the two Christians from Xinjiang province’s Aksu region were charged with “utilizing superstitious sects, secret societies or cult to undermine law enforcement.”
Their trial was to be Aug. 29. However, because their attorneys complained of being refused access to crucial information, a pretrial conference was held that day, and the trial was rescheduled for Oct. 17.
A judge with Aksu City People’s Court denied the defense attorneys’ request for copies of electronic data. The judge said counsel could hear and see the information but not have copies.
Violations
ChinaAid says the actions violate three articles:
— Article 53 of the Criminal Procedure Law of the People’s Republic of China and Article 14 of “Provisions on Legally Safeguarding Lawyers’ Practice Rights” say defense attorneys may access and copy case file materials.
— Article 18 of “Pretrial Conference Regulations” stipulates that defense attorneys must have copies of case file materials for a case to qualify for a pretrial conference.
In addition, defense attorneys suspect evidence fabrication in the case after hearing a prosecutor admit that signatures on some evidence were backdated, the rights group says.
China is No. 19 on Open Doors’ 2024 World Watch List of places most difficult to be a Christian.
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