Chinese pastor Wang Yi’s wife Jiang Rong accused of inciting subversion and held in unknown location after Christian crackdown

Jiang is implicated along with her outspoken husband, who has been placed under criminal detention in an unspecified location, along with at least seven others

She could be detained for up to six months in what appears to be an attempt at intimidation and deterring advocacy efforts on the case, a lawyer said

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Chinese Christian Pastor Wang Yi is seen with wife Jiang Rong at their home on May 12. Both members of the evangelical Early Rain Covenant Church, they were taken by Chinese authorities on Sunday December 9, 2018. Photo: Early Rain Covenant Church via Facebook

Published: 10:51pm, 13 Dec 2018Updated: 10:23am, 14 Dec 2018

The wife of detained unofficial church pastor Wang Yi has been placed under “residential surveillance” – a form of secret detention – for allegedly inciting subversion of state power.

Jiang Rong was implicated along with her outspoken husband, who has been placed under criminal detention and is also accused of inciting subversion.

In an open letter released after he was detained, Wang wrote that he would use non-violent methods to stand by his faith and oppose “wicked laws” that he said went against the Bible and God – including those allowing crackdowns on churches.

He was one of more than 100 leaders, seminary students and worshippers taken into custody on Sunday evening after a raid on the Early Rain Covenant Church, one of China’s most prominent unofficial churches, in Chengdu, Sichuan province. Some were taken from their homes or the streets, and some said they were abused while in police custody.

Church members on Thursday said at least seven others had been placed under criminal detention.

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