Medical Bail Rescinded for Elderly Practitioner, Still Faces Four-Year Sentence

(Minghui.org) Ms. Zhao Xiaolu is a Falun Gong practitioner in Zhangjiakou City, Hebei Province. She was sentenced to four years in prison by Xinzhou City Court in Shanxi Province on January 9, 2018. She was sent to Yuci Women's Prison in Shanxi Province on May 15, 2018.

Ms. Zhao and several other practitioners were arrested by local police during a trip in Xinzhou City on October 5, 2016. Their cases were quickly sent to Xinzhou Procuratorate and later transferred to the Xinfu District Court.

Ms. Zhao is over 70 years old, and the prolonged detention caused her to suffer another heart attack.

When she was taken to the courtroom, she was handcuffed and shackled. Mr. Liu, her attorney, requested that the shackles be removed after seeing how poorly she was. He also submitted a bail application.

Mr. Liu also filed an application for “Change of Compulsory Measure.” He urged the court to consider Ms. Zhao’s physical condition and to release her as soon as possible on medical parole.

However, the Xinzhou Court issued its sentence to Ms. Zhao Xiaolu, mandating four years in prison with a fine of 5,000 yuan, as of January 9, 2018. Her attorney and family members were not notified of the sentence.

Recently, her family received a call from the prison that Ms. Zhao requires a pacemaker due to her serious heart condition.

Those involved in the persecution of Ms. Zhao:Yuci Women's Prison:Yuci Prison Guard's Office: [phone], [phone]Yuci Prison Administration Office: [phone]Email: [e-mail] Province Justice Department:Contact: [phone]Xue Yonghui (薛永辉), head of Shanxi Province Justice Department

Shanxi Province Prison Administration Department:Administration Contact: [phone]