(Minghui.org) Three Huaying City, Sichuan Province, residents were sentenced on August 30, 2023 for their shared faith in Falun Gong, a mind-body practice that has been persecuted by the Chinese Communist Party since July 1999.

The sentencing of Ms. Peng Qingling, Ms. Xiang Tianxiu, and Mr. Tang Xiewen stemmed from their arrests on November 23, 2022. The police also raided their homes that day and confiscated 5,000 yuan from Ms. Xiang. 

A few months before Ms. Peng’s arrest, on February 15, 2022, the Huaying City Police Station knocked on her door and shut off power to her apartment unit. Police were also staked outside her home and followed her everywhere.

The three Falun Gong practitioners stood trial at the Huaying City Court on June 20, 2022. Judge Huang Zhijun presided over the trial. Judges Wang Qirong and Du Ming, assistant to judges Nie Lei, as well as clerk Xiong Weili were also present. Other details of the trial remain to be investigated.

The court convicted all three practitioners on August 30, 2023. Mr. Tang was sentenced to four years and fined 15,000 yuan. Ms. Peng was given three years with a 10,000-yuan fine. Ms. Xiang was sentenced to two years with three years probation and a 5,000-yuan fine.

It is unclear where the three practitioners are being held.