A 90-year-old woman in China has taught herself criminal law to defend her son against extortion charges worth 117 unique yuan (S$21 million).
Madam He appeared at Zhoushan Intermediate People’s Court in Zhejiang Province to support her 57-year-old son, Mr Lin, who faces criminal allegations.
Police detained Mr Lin in March 2023 at his workplace. His family received a criminal detention notice the next day, citing suspected extortion.
Mr Lin serves as the controlling shareholder of two companies: Zhoushan Donglian Gas Co Ltd and Zhoushan Baiwang Jinqi Transportation Co Ltd. Both firms operated in the gas supply and transport industry for years.
Prosecutors claim that between 2014 and 2017, Mr Lin and his company’s finance officer, Ms Li, forced the head of a shipbuilding giant to make the payment.
The pair used reports of the company’s tax and invoice violations as leverage against Huang, who heads Jinhai Heavy Industry. Huang ranked 88th on the 2009 Hurun Rich List with assets worth eight billion yuan (S$1.55 billion).
Mr Lin’s legal team argues the case represents a civil dispute being wrongfully criminalized. They claim Mr Lin was trying to recover debts owed to his companies and compensation for business losses.
The defense maintains the whistleblowing actions were lawful and backed by legitimate claims. They insist Mr Lin never intended illegal possession, which would be required for criminal charges.
Mother Studies Law Despite Poor Eyesight
Madam He has only a junior high school education. After her son’s arrest, she bought copies of China’s Criminal Law and Criminal Procedure Law. She taught herself legal principles despite poor eyesight and advanced age.
Madam He wakes at 4am each day to study. She uses a magnifying glass to take detailed notes.
She visits the court regularly to review case documents, regardless of weather conditions. Her dedication has impressed court observers and legal professionals.
The family opposed her decision to represent her son personally in court. Madam He remained determined to take the stand herself rather than burden the younger generation with the case.
Court Appearance During Typhoon
On July 30, as a typhoon swept across the region, Madam He appeared at Zhoushan Intermediate People’s Court with her son’s lawyer to attend the hearing.
Due to safety restrictions, only about ten direct family members were allowed in the courtroom. Other relatives watched a livestream on the second floor.
Mr Lin entered in handcuffs. Madam He held back tears as she examined her son’s condition. She continued reading through legal documents using her magnifying glass throughout the proceedings.
After feeling unwell in the afternoon and having her blood pressure spike to 190, she refused to leave the courtroom.
Madam He told reporters that Mr Lin is the youngest of her three children and her only son. Three of her grandchildren have graduated from prestigious universities, with one still a minor.
“I know I’m old, but he is my son. I must do everything I can to defend him,” she said. “I’m a mother. I want to save my son. If he’s guilty, he should be sentenced accordingly. But if he’s not, I hope he can return home soon.”
