Nine members of Beijing’s Zion Church have been released on bail after more than eight months in detention, while nine remaining church leaders now face more serious criminal charges in one of China’s most closely watched religious freedom cases.

A church announcement released Friday said authorities freed nine detained believers after the expiration of the maximum investigative detention period allowed under Chinese law. At the same time, prosecutors moved forward with cases against nine church leaders, reportedly replacing earlier allegations with charges of “illegal business operations” and “fraud.”

The developments mark a significant turning point in the case known as the “10.9 Zion Church Case,” a sweeping crackdown launched against the prominent Beijing-based house church on October 9, 2025.

According to the church, those released include Sun Cong, Liu Jiang, Li Shengjuan, Wei Yunfei, An Mei, Zhan Ge, Hu Yanzi, Mei Liming, and Zhu Mingli.

Family members and church coworkers reportedly gathered outside the detention center in Beihai, a coastal city in southern China’s Guangxi region, to welcome the believers upon their release. Witnesses said those released appeared to be in good physical and mental condition.

“We rejoice with the nine Zion Church believers who have finally been reunited with their families after more than eight months of unjust detention,” said Bob Fu, founder and president of ChinaAid. “Their release is a welcome development and an answer to the prayers of countless Christians around the world.”

The remaining nine church leaders face a more uncertain future. Reports indicate that Pastor Ezra Jin Mingri, Pastor Wang Lin, Pastor Gao Yingjia, Pastor Yin Huibin, Pastor Liu Zhenbin, Pastor Lin Shucheng, Pastor Wang Cong, Elder Wang Zhong, and Wu Qiuyu have been transferred to the Yinhai District People’s Procuratorate in Beihai for prosecution.

The case began on November 18, 2025, when authorities formally arrested 18 Zion Church pastors and coworkers on suspicion of “illegal use of information networks.” After multiple extensions of the investigation, the maximum detention period expired June 18.

Human rights advocates and legal observers have expressed concern that authorities have reportedly replaced the original accusation with charges of “illegal business operations” and “fraud.” Attorneys reportedly have not yet been granted full access to prosecution files, and the final charges against each defendant remain subject to confirmation.

Observers say Chinese authorities have increasingly relied on economic crime allegations against independent house churches that refuse to join the government-approved Three-Self Patriotic Church. Activities such as collecting offerings, publishing religious materials, or operating theological training programs have been cited in similar prosecutions.

In a public statement, Zion Church rejected the allegations, arguing that its Bible training activities do not constitute an illegal business and that church offerings are voluntary religious donations rather than fraud. The church called on prosecutors to withdraw the charges and respect citizens’ constitutional right to religious freedom.

The church’s legal team is reportedly preparing to review prosecution materials and plans to present not-guilty defenses during future court proceedings.

Before authorities shut it down in 2018, Zion Church was among China’s largest and most influential house churches, drawing thousands of attendees in Beijing. The church was forced to cease public operations after refusing government demands to install surveillance cameras and has since continued through smaller gatherings and online meetings.

The case has drawn sustained international attention. Since the crackdown began, churches and Christian organizations in the United States and across Asia have held monthly prayer and fasting gatherings on the ninth day of each month in support of the detained believers and other house churches facing pressure in China.

“Yet true justice has not been achieved,” Fu said. “The international community must continue to stand with Zion Church and all persecuted Christians in China.”

Analysts say the prosecution of Zion Church’s remaining leaders may provide an important indication of how Chinese authorities intend to handle independent Protestant churches in the years ahead.

Gao Zhensai is a special correspondent for ChinaAid News. Founded in 2002, ChinaAid is an international Christian human rights organization committed to promoting religious freedom and the rule of law in China through advocacy, legal support, and international awareness campaigns.