(Minghui.org) Two Qingyuan County, Liaoning Province residents were sentenced on September 6, 2020 for their faith in Falun Gong, an ancient spiritual and meditation discipline that has been persecuted by the Chinese communist regime since 1999.
Ms. Ma Fengju, 49, and Ms. Liu Yunying, 59, were arrested on September 25, 2019 for distributing informational materials about Falun Gong. The police slapped Ms. Ma in the face and attempted to collect her fingerprints during their interrogation. She experienced dangerously high blood pressure and a heart condition after being sent to the Fushun Detention Center. She was also dizzy and struggled to keep her balance while walking.
The police submitted the practitioners’ cases to the Wanghua District Procuratorate on October 30, 2019. Despite the prosecutor returning the cases on December 30, 2019 due to insufficient evidence, the police refused to release the practitioners and submitted their cases for the second time. The prosecutor later indicted the practitioners and moved their cases to the Wanghua District Court.
After nearly one year of detention, both women were tried on August 26, 2020. Their two lawyers entered a not guilty plea for them and the practitioners also testified in their own defense. The presiding judge, Kong Hang, didn’t allow their families to attend the hearing, citing the coronavirus epidemic.
The judge announced the verdicts against the practitioners a few days later: Ms. Ma was sentenced to 2.5 years and fined 8,000 yuan and Ms. Liu received 2 years with a 5,000-yuan fine. Both women have filed appeals against the prison sentences.
Both Ms. Ma and Ms. Liu used to suffer severe ailments, including heart and lung conditions. Their health improved quickly after they took up Falun Gong. Ms. Liu was able to work again and earned enough income to pay off her family's debts.
Ms. Ma was able to let go of grudges against her mother-in-law and took good care of her when she became ill.
Related reports:
Two Women Remain Detained After Procuratorate Returns Their Cases
