(Minghui.org) While a Tianjin resident is serving a nine-year term for her faith in Falun Gong, her mother passed away and she wasn’t allowed to attend her funeral.

Falun Gong, also known as Falun Dafa, is a spiritual discipline that has been persecuted by the Chinese communist regime since 1999.

Ms. Gao Lijuan, a 49-year-old former teacher, was arrested on December 28, 2017, together with 36 other Falun Gong practitioners. Her mother, almost 80, who was living with Ms. Gao, was terrified during her arrest. She moved in with Ms. Gao’s sister afterwards and suffered deteriorating health since.

In January 2020, Ms. Gao was sentenced to nine years in prison and fined 30,000 yuan. She was taken to the Tianjin Women’s Prison on August 25, 2021.

Her mother passed away on September 4, 2021, and she wasn’t allowed to attend the funeral.

In addition to Ms. Gao, another eleven practitioners targeted in the group arrest have also been convicted. Among them, Mr. Li Yongquan was sentenced to 11 years, Ms. Huang Junjuan and Ms. Gao Jianling to 7.5 years, Ms. Gao Yuming to 6 years, Ms. Lu Houfen to 5.5 years, Ms. Xu Xueli to 4.5 years, Ms. Yang Yunxiang to 4 years, Ms. Zhou Houmei to 4 years, Ms. Feng Junling to 3.5 years, and Ms. Jin Zhi to 3 years. The verdict of Ms. He Guirong, who has gone through two court hearings, isn’t clear.

Related reports:

Family Finally Gets Confirmation of 49-Year-Old Teacher’s Location Months after Her Prison Sentence

49-Year-Old Teacher Given Nine Years for Her Faith, Whereabouts Unknown

Targeted in a Group Arrest, Tianjin Woman Sentenced to 9 Years for Practicing Falun Gong

After Three Canceled Hearings, Tianjin Woman Tried for Her Faith, Threatened with a 12-Year Sentence

37 Tianjin Falun Gong Practitioners Arrested in One Day: 3 Jailed, 5 Awaiting Verdict, 6 Facing Indictment

Chinese version available

Category: Accounts of Persecution