(Minghui.org) Two Huanggang City, Hubei Province residents were recently sentenced to prison for their faith in Falun Gong, a spiritual and meditation discipline that has been persecuted by the Chinese communist regime since 1999.

Ms. Yuan Mingzhu, in her 70s, was arrested on August 1, 2019 after being reported for putting up posters about Falun Gong. She was kept in detention for six days and released on August 6. 

Nine days later, on August 15, Ms. Yuan, Ms. He Xiaolan, in her 60s, Ms. Zhang Laxiang, and Ms. Li (given name not known), were arrested while studying Falun Gong teachings together. Ms. Li was released later that evening to take care of an incapacitated family member. Ms. Zhang was released after 15 days of detention.

Both Ms. He and Ms. Yuan were transferred to a brainwashing center in Wuhan and were recently sentenced to two years, and one-and-a-half years, respectively, by the Xishui County Court.

Over the past 21 years of persecution, Ms. He has been arrested four times. She has also been constantly harassed and had her home ransacked. Ms. Yuan has been arrested three times and detained for a total of 41 days. She has been extorted for a total of 2,600 yuan.