(Minghui.org) A 68-year-old Huaian City, Anhui Province resident was recently sentenced to 7.5 years for her faith in Falun Gong, a spiritual and meditation discipline that has been persecuted by the Chinese communist regime since 1999. She is now preparing to appeal the case.

Ms. Zhang Suying was arrested around June 19, 2020. She appeared in Qingjiangpu District Court on December 9, 2020. Her lawyer entered a not guilty plea for her.

In recent years, the authorities in Huainan City appointed the procuratorate and court in Qingjiangpu District to handle most of the Falun Gong cases as a way to speed up the sentencing process.

Prior to her latest sentencing, Ms. Zhang was arrested in 2000 for making informational materials about Falun Gong. She was interrogated for five days, deprived of sleep and exposed to extremely bright light. The police later gave her three years of forced labor.

Ms. Zhang was arrested again on May 13, 2012 while studying Falun Gong teachings with other practitioners. Her five-year-old granddaughter was also seized by the police. While her granddaughter was soon taken back home, Ms. Zhang was transferred to a brainwashing center for further persecution.

Ms. Zhang was arrested once again and had her home ransacked on June 12, 2014. She was released on bail the next day.

Chinese version available

Category: Accounts of Persecution