Chinese wildlife-trafficking convict Lin Yun Hua has been released from Dedza Prison after the State discontinued the corruption case that had kept him on remand.
The case was being prosecuted by the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB), which accused Lin of attempting to bribe a magistrate and prison officials while he was serving a sentence at Maula Prison for wildlife-related offences.
Lin was arrested in 2019 as the alleged ringleader of the Lin-Zhang syndicate, which was reportedly operating across Southern Africa.
In September 2021, he was convicted and sentenced to 14 years’ imprisonment with hard labour for possession of listed species, including rhino horn and ivory, and dealing in government trophies.
He also received a six-year sentence for money laundering.
Lin served about four years of the sentence before being among 37 prisoners pardoned during Malawi’s 61st Independence Anniversary celebrations in July 2025 by then-President Lazarus Chakwera.
The pardon triggered criticism from conservationists and civil society organisations, who questioned the decision given the nature of Lin’s wildlife-related convictions.
However, the pardon did not immediately result in his release. The ACB re-arrested him and obtained a remand order after charging him with seven counts relating to corrupt practices and abuse of office. The Bureau argued that Lin posed a flight risk.
He was subsequently held at Dedza Prison while the corruption case proceeded before the High Court Financial Crimes Division, presided over by Judge Redson Kapindu.
Lin had previously made several attempts to secure his release. In November 2025, Judge Kapindu dismissed his applications challenging his detention and seeking bail, ruling that he was a flight risk.
In July 2026, the High Court also dismissed an application by the State, through the ACB, to discontinue the corruption case after a coalition of Malawian civil society organisations opposed the move.
Conservation groups had also criticised reported plans by the Director of Public Prosecutions to withdraw the charges, warning that doing so could undermine Malawi’s efforts to combat transnational wildlife crime.
The State has now succeeded in its latest application to discontinue the case, paving the way for Lin’s release from Dedza Prison.
Lin and members of his syndicate were previously found in possession of elephant tusks, hippopotamus teeth and rhino horns reportedly traced to animals killed in Liwonde National Park.
Following his original conviction, Lin was expected to be deported to China after serving his sentence.
