(Minghui.org) While a 50-year-old math tutor in Dalian City, Liaoning Province was in a coma after suffering a stroke, both he and his wife were sentenced to prison on February 23, 2021, for practicing Falun Gong, a spiritual discipline that has been persecuted by the Chinese communist regime since 1999.

As Mr. Ding Guochen has never regained consciousness and remains in a vegetative state since his sentencing, his wife, Ms. Yan Qinghua, stays home to take care of him. At one point, three staff members of the Jinzhou District Court that have sentenced them came to their home to verify Mr. Ding’s health condition. Ms. Yan pointed at him, who was in a coma and on oxygen and said, “He has become like this due to the persecution. Take a look yourself. We can’t afford the cost for him to receive treatment in the hospital and I can only take care of him at home.”

Seeing the actual situation of the family, the court staff members said to her, “You can stay home to take care of him.”

Mr. Ding Guochen before he fell unconscious.

The couple was arrested during a police sweep across the province on July 11, 2019, which came as part of the Chinese Communist Party’s effort to “maintain safety” ahead of its 70th anniversary in power.

While Ms. Yan was released later that day, Mr. Ding was taken to Jinzhou Detention Center in the evening. He held a four-week-long hunger strike to protest the arbitrary detention and was force-fed. He lost his hearing and had a stroke as a result of the abuse. He was then released on bail on October 19, 2019.

Mr. Ding resumed practicing Falun Gong upon returning home. He regained some of his mobility, but still has issues with his hearing.

The police submitted the couple’s cases to the Jinzhou District Procuratorate in early 2020. They were indicted and their cases were forwarded to the Jinzhou District Court on May 14, 2020. When the couple refused to attend the hearing, the police and court staff members often harassed them at home.

On January 27, 2021, Mr. Ding had another stroke and fell into a coma. He has been unconscious ever since. 

The Jinzhou District Court delivered their sentences to the couple on February 23. Mr. Ding was sentenced to two years and fined 5,000 yuan. Ms. Yan was given three and a half years and fined 8,000 yuan.

Perpetrators’ contact information:
Xianjin Police Station: +86-411-87703317Duan Shixing (段时兴), police officer in charge of Mr. Ding’s case: +86-15566407548Jinzhou District Court: +86-411-87786100, +86-411-8767765

Related reports:

Couple Sentenced to Prison for Their Faith, Husband Still in a Coma after Suffering a Stroke

Students Cry for Math Tutor Arrested for Not Renouncing His Faith

Liaoning Province: At Least 35 Falun Gong Practitioners Arrested in Two Days

Shenyang City, Liaoning Province: 13 Falun Gong Practitioners Arrested in One Day

Five Liaoning Residents Face Prosecution for Practicing Falun Gong