Bail ruling delayed for Chinese national accused of bribing Malawi judicial officer

• Lin Yunhua, previously jailed for wildlife trafficking before receiving presidential pardon, now faces corruption charges as judge raises concerns over proposed house arrest-style conditions

A ruling on bail for a Chinese national accused of attempting to bribe a judicial officer and prison officials in Malawi has been adjourned by the High Court in Lilongwe, after the presiding judge raised concerns that the proposed conditions of release amounted, in effect, to house arrest.

Lin Yunhua is facing corruption charges over the alleged bribery attempt, in a case that follows a previous, and rather more serious, brush with Malawi’s justice system. In September 2021, Lin was sentenced to 14 years’ imprisonment with hard labour for wildlife crimes, before being released four years into that term under a presidential pardon.

The corruption case against him was initially brought before a magistrate’s court, but was later referred to the High Court at the request of the state. In an unusual turn, the state subsequently sought to have the case discontinued entirely, a move that was met with resistance.

Appearing before the court on Friday, Lin’s lawyer, Powell Mkutabasa, told the judge that revised bail conditions had been proposed in light of concerns that his client posed a flight risk. Under the proposal, Lin would reside with his daughter in the Area 49 neighbourhood of Lilongwe, where he could be closely monitored – an arrangement to which the state did not object.

The state did, however, seek an additional restriction: that Lin be permitted to receive visitors only on Saturdays and Sundays, between 9am and 4pm.

It was this condition that gave Judge Redson Kapindu pause. He told the court that the proposed restrictions bore a strong resemblance to house arrest, and questioned whether an accused person released under such terms could reasonably be considered free.

The judge has adjourned his ruling on the bail application to a later date, without specifying when a decision will be handed down.