(Minghui.org) A Nong’an County, Jilin Province resident is appealing a five-year prison term for her faith in Falun Gong, a spiritual discipline that has been persecuted by the Chinese communist regime since 1999. 

Ms. Zhao Xiulan’s appeal has been accepted by the Changchun City Intermediate Court. The judge in charge is Zang Wancheng.

Ms. Zhao, a 66-year-old retired high school teacher, was targeted in a group arrest on July 15, 2020. She was tried by the Dehui Court on April 9, 2021 and sentenced to five years on July 26.

Wang Rongfu, the presiding judge of the Dehui Court, barred Ms. Zhao’s lawyer from representing her in court and her family from observing the session. He blatantly claimed that even murderers can have their legal representation, but not Falun Gong practitioners. He also humiliated Ms. Zhao’s family when they tried to seek justice for her.

Health Benefits from Practicing Falun Gong

Ms. Zhao used to suffer femoral head necrosis and sciatica. She almost became incapacitated in her 40s and had to wear thick slacks even in the heat of summer. She tried both Western and Chinese medicines, as well as surgery. She didn’t see much improvement, but suffered severe side effects from the medicine she took. 

A neighbor later introduced Falun Gong to Ms. Zhao. She first went to the exercise practice site with a walking stick. Gradually, she was able to sit in the full lotus position for the sitting meditation and then ride a bike to get around town. Ms. Zhao said she benefitted so much from practicing Falun Gong that she felt compelled to tell people that Falun Gong is wronged by the government. 

Perpetrators’ contact information:
Cheng Fengyi (程凤义), president, Changchun City Intermediate Court: +86-431-88558777
Zang Wancheng (藏万成), judge, Changchun City Intermediate Court: +86-431-88556653, +86-17643108205Wang Rongfu (王荣富), judge, Dehui Court: +86-431-87005016, +86-16604477826, +86-13904397090

(More perpetrators’ contact information is available in the original Chinese article.)

Related report:

Nong’an County, Jilin Province: Ten Falun Gong Practitioners Sentenced to Two to Ten Years in Prison