(Minghui.org) The Heihe City Intermediate Court in Heilongjiang Province ruled to uphold Ms. Chen Songyan’s 7.5-year prison term for practicing Falun Gong on July 22, 2020.
Falun Gong, also known as Falun Dafa, is an ancient spiritual and meditation discipline that has been persecuted by the Chinese communist regime since 1999.
Ms. Chen, 57, is a resident of Beian City, Heilongjiang Province. She was arrested on April 24, 2019 after being reported for talking to people about Falun Gong. The police first held her at Wudalianchi Detention Center, and then at the Heihe City Detention Center.
Ms. Chen was indicted by the Beian City Procuratorate and tried by the Beian City Court on October 15, 2019. She was later sentenced to 7.5 years, with a 10,000 yuan fine.
Ms. Chen filed an appeal with the Heihe City Intermediate Court upon receiving her verdict. The appeals court held a hearing of her case on July 16, 2020. Ms. Chen’s lawyer entered a not guilty plea for her. She also testified in her own defense.
The judge ruled to uphold her verdict a week later.
