Notorious poaching gang leaders pardoned in Malawi

Telegraph

02-07-2025

The leaders of a prolific Chinese wildlife trafficking gang have been pardoned in Malawi, sparking concern that renewed poaching will help spread diseases including coronaviruses.
Lin Yunhua and his wife Qin Hua Zhang, who led the notorious Lin-Zhang syndicate that operated across southern Africa, were among 15 people sentenced to jail as part of a major crackdown on ivory trafficking.
During their arrests in 2019, Lin and Zhang were found with elephant tusks, hippopotamus teeth and rhino horns that were traced to animals killed in Malawi's Liwonde National Park, where Prince Harry volunteered in 2016.
At the same time, the authorities in Hong Kong also made record seizures of wildlife contraband, including their largest-ever haul of rhino horns – worth over $1 million – and 8.3 tonnes of pangolin scales from nearly 14,000 animals.
Zhang was sentenced to 11 years in 2020, while Lin received a 14-year sentence in 2021. They were to be deported after serving their terms. Other members – including eight Chinese nationals and four Malawians – were sent to various prisons.
Prosecutors described the Lin-Zhang network as a 'dangerous syndicate' that funded and organised wildlife crime across the region, with smuggling routes stretching to China and other illegal market hubs.
But Lin and Zhang have now appeared on a list of 21 individuals pardoned by Lazarus Chakwera, Malawi's President, multiple prison officials familiar with the document told The Telegraph.
The presidency has yet to comment on the pardons and has refused to make the list public amid widespread criticism from conservationists, who warn it will help reignite large-scale poaching in the middle of a global campaign to curb the illegal trade in African wildlife products for traditional Chinese medicine.
Lin is still being held on remand over separate corruption allegations, while Zhang is believed to have returned home after receiving clemency.
While great progress was being made to combat poaching in Malawi and southern Africa, traditional Chinese medicine has only continued to grow in popularity.
Ivory remains in high demand, as do pangolin scales, which practitioners claim, without evidence, can heal a range of conditions including blocked mammary glands, rheumatism, and blood circulation issues.
The pardons have also raised public health concerns, particularly that a revival of the illicit trade in animals and their body parts will lead to the spread of diseases carried by animals, including coronaviruses.
A comprehensive study published in Nature earlier this month found an increase in the detection of coronaviruses that could cause disease in humans along the supply chain of pangolin meat and scales heading to China.
'Studies of confiscated pangolins in China have detected several types of coronavirus that share up to 92 per cent of their genome with SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes Covid-19,' it said. 'Although too distantly related to have given rise to SARS-CoV-2, the viruses sometimes cause Covid-19-like symptoms in these animals and might have the potential to infect humans.'
The paper cites a study in Current Biology which revealed that around a quarter of mammals involved in the wildlife trade harbour three quarters of known zoonotic viruses. It cites species such as primates, ungulates, bats, and carnivores as particularly significant reservoirs for these pathogens.
'The conditions prevalent in wildlife markets – where diverse species are confined in close proximity under stressful and unsanitary conditions – create ideal environments for viruses to jump between species and potentially infect humans,' the study observes.
These findings underscore the critical need for stringent regulations on wildlife trade and robust conservation efforts to preserve biodiversity. 'Such measures are essential not only for protecting ecosystems but also for preventing future pandemics by reducing opportunities for zoonotic spillover events.'
The convictions of the Lin-Zhang syndicate leaders were hailed by conservationists as a 'game-changer' in efforts to dismantle international trafficking networks and curb demand for illegal traditional medicine ingredients.
'Following years of effort and overcoming countless obstacles, this small nation demonstrated how political will can dismantle one of Africa's most prolific wildlife crime syndicates,' said Mary Rice, Executive Director of the Environmental Investigation Agency.
The landmark case helped remove Malawi from CITES' list of countries of 'primary concern' for wildlife trafficking, thanks to legal reforms and targeted enforcement.
But the pardons now threaten Malawi's international reputation as a leader in fighting wildlife crime.
Mathews Malata, a climate diplomacy advisor, warned of grave repercussions for international credibility.
'This erodes confidence from donors and partners,' Mr Malata said. 'This case was critical – it showed our seriousness. Lin was the mastermind behind many crimes, some still unresolved in court.'
He cautioned that releasing Lin could undo years of progress and threaten Malawi's standing as a model in wildlife protection.
'This was an opportunity for the leadership to affirm its commitment. By letting Lin go early, we've risked everything,' he said.
Paul Mvula, a local governance and human rights advocate, questioned whether Lin met clemency conditions – such as serving at least half his sentence and demonstrating good behaviour. New state charges allege Lin tried to bribe a High Court judge and prison officials while in custody.
But the Lin-Zhang gang leader who is free from wildlife crimes but on remand for the corruption accusations has denied the charges in court.
'This pardon raises serious governance issues,' Mr Mvula said. 'We believe the President may have been misinformed and urge a review and possible reversal of the clemency.'
A ranger from the Department of National Parks and Wildlife, speaking anonymously, expressed fear that Lin's release could embolden other traffickers and demoralise conservation workers.
'His arrest was a turning point,' the ranger said. 'Letting him go undoes years of sacrifice by rangers and investigators.'