Judge denies multiple requests for family visits and phone calls amid ongoing investigation
On August 23, 2023, a district court heard the cases of the ten accused involved in a high-profile money laundering case worth billions. The suspects appeared in court dressed in standard red T-shirts, a stark contrast to their previous appearances in flashy clothing. Most were visibly exhausted but attentive as they listened to an interpreter translating the proceedings and the charges they faced.
This marked the first time the accused were meeting their lawyers since their mass arrest on August 15 during a large-scale operation across the island. One of the suspects, Su Haijin, was appearing remotely from a hospital after reportedly injuring himself while trying to flee arrest. He was the only one of the accused to request to see his family, which the judge allowed via a video call.
Other suspects, such as Su Jianfeng, requested to speak with their family members who were not present in court. However, their requests were largely denied. Su Jianfeng’s request was rejected after prosecutors pointed out that his wife was a witness in the ongoing investigations. Similarly, a request from Chen Qingyuan to call his wife was denied due to concerns that he might instruct her on the potential disposal of assets.
Amidst the requests, there were moments of tension in the courtroom. Wang Dehai, one of the accused, claimed he had been illegally detained and voiced his frustration, although he did not ask to speak with his family.
The investigation into this case remains ongoing, with the accused facing serious charges related to the laundering of substantial sums of money and assets.
