(Minghui.org) In a verdict dated June 1, 2015, Falun Gong practitioners Ms. Gao Xianying and Ms. Luo Lingrong were sentenced to a 3.5 years and 3 years in prison, respectively, by Jiangyang District Court in Luzhou City. The practitioners were not allowed to defend themselves in court.
Three court officers delivered the verdict to Ms. Gao’s home on June 9.
Arrested and Harassed for Their Beliefs
Ms. Gao and Ms. Luo were arrested on May 23, 2014 for practicing Falun Gong, a self-cultivation practice being persecuted by the Chinese Communist Party.
Ms. Luo, 62, has been held in Naxi Detention Center for over a year and is thus unable to care for her bedridden husband. Her absence has placed a huge burden on her family.
Ms. Gao, 72, was deemed physically unfit for the detention center. Officers frequently threatened Ms. Gao's son to take her to the police and admit guilt. Ms. Gao refused to sign the documents she was handed each time her son took her.
Subjected to Years of Persecution
Ms. Gao's home has been ransacked by police numerous times since the communist regime's persecution of Falun Gong started in 1999. Her pension was also withheld.
In 2006, she was sentenced to 3 years in prison for refusing to give up her belief in Falun Gong. The authorities put tremendous pressure on her family.
In 2009, Ms. Gao was forced to leave home and become destitute to avoid further harassment by police.
Ms. Luo was illegally detained for 9 months and held in a brainwashing center for 2 years after she traveled to Beijing in December 2000 to petition the government for the right to practice Falun Gong.
Related reports:
Same Judge, Same Makeshift Courtroom, Same Violation of Legal Rights
Ms. Gao Xianying Refused to Sign Her Arrest Warrant
