Liaoning Woman Given Four-year Sentence for Her Faith

(Minghui.org) A Xingcheng City, Liaoning Province resident was recently sentenced to four years for practicing Falun Gong, a spiritual discipline that has been persecuted by the Chinese communist regime since 1999.

Ms. Li Zhifen, 55, was arrested at home on August 13, 2022. She was first taken to the Wenquan Police Station and then transferred to the Huludao City Detention Center.

The Xingcheng City Court held a virtual hearing of her case on September 9. Her lawyer entered a not guilty plea for her. He argued that no law has criminalized Falun Gong in China and that the prosecutor failed to present any evidence to show how Ms. Li “undermined law enforcement with a cult organization” – a standard pretext used to frame Falun Gong.

Ms. Li’s husband testified that some items used by the prosecutor as evidence against her weren’t taken from their home and didn’t belong to Ms. Li.

Ms. Li also testified in her own defense. She denied the charge against her and demanded an acquittal. The judge adjourned the hearing one and a half hours later without announcing a verdict.

Ms. Li’s lawyer learned in late September that she has been sentenced to four years.

Prior to her latest ordeal, Ms. Li was previously arrested on August 25, 2013, also for practicing Falun Gong. 

Perpetrators’ contact information:

Cui Baomin (崔保民), judge, Xingcheng City Court: [phone], [phone]Wang Wei (王伟), judge, Xingcheng City CourtZhang Yuelin (张月林), head of the Xingcheng City Police Department: [phone]

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

Related report:

Liaoning Woman Stands Trial for Practicing Falun Gong