The High Court in Lilongwe, under the Financial Crimes Division, has ruled in favour of the State that there should be a judicial review on the case involving a Chinese, Hun Qin Zhang, who was almost released before serving her sentence for various crimes.
After the State learnt that Zhang, who in 2021 was sentenced to 8 years of Imprisonment with Hard Labour (IHL) for commiting various wildlife offences was due for release, it applied for judicial review, using private lawyers, which has been granted by Justice Kapindu.
She was initially arrested in 2017 where she was reportedly charged with possession of 25.5 kilogrammes of ivory and was sentenced to six years imprisonment.
She was also charged in a fresh case for being found in possession of 103 pieces of Rhino horn and she was sentenced to 11 years, to run concurrently.
As if this is not enough, whilst serving her 11 year jail term, she was linked and charged with money laundering and the Lilongwe Chief Resident Magistrate Court sentenced her to 8 years IHL on 13 March 2021.
But soon news was all over town that she was due for release on Saturday 12 May 2024, and allegedly had an air ticket to China ready for the same day. This prompted the State to file for a judicial review.
According to a source who did not want to be named, her husband Lin Yuan Hua is also in incarceration serving 14 years IHL and his son-in-law is serving 8 years IHL.
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