(Minghui.org) Four Falun Gong practitioners in Henan Province were sentenced to prison in September 2018 for raising awareness of the persecution of their faith.

Three of the four were given three years and began to serve time in early October. The fourth practitioner was released on probation due to her advanced age.

The four practitioners—Mr. Zhao Shehui, Ms. Wang Leng, Ms. Zhang He, and Ms. Yang Suling—were arrested on May 23, 2018, while distributing Falun Gong informational materials in Xihua County, Zhoukou City.

Except for Mr. Zhao, who was taken to Xihua County Detention Center, the other three were detained in the Zhoukou City Detention Center.

The four practitioners stood trial in the Xihua County Court in September 2018 and were later sentenced to prison.

Mr. Zhao, in his 60s, a retired light bulb factory worker, was taken to Xinmi Prison in Zhengzhou City in early October.

Ms. Wang Leng, in her 50s, who was retired from a winery, and Ms. Zhang He, in her 40s, who worked for a small business, were taken to Xinxiang Women's Prison on October 11.

Ms. Yang Suling, 81, a retired elementary school teacher, began practicing Falun Gong in 2014. She credited the practice for curing her high blood pressure, heart problem, and ruptured disc. She has been ordered to serve time outside of prison.