(Minghui.org) A 57-year-old resident of Huayuan County, Hunan Province, was sentenced to three years with a 10,000-yuan fine on May 31, 2024, for her faith in Falun Gong, a mind-body practice that has been persecuted by the Chinese Communist Party since July 1999.
Ms. Xiao Yongkang, a vegetable vendor, was arrested on August 3, 2023, after a plainclothes officer who had been shadowing her spotted her talking to a customer about Falun Gong. He called in Sanjiaoyan Police Station officers to arrest her. She was kicked and punched before being dragged into a police cruiser and driven to the Xiangxi Autonomous Prefecture Detention Center (the Xiangxi Autonomous Prefecture oversees Huayuan County).
The Huayuan County Court held a two-day hearing on Ms. Xiao’s case on December 20-21, 2023. She had a non-lawyer family defender to represent her, but the latter was unable to finish reading the defense statement before the judge cut him off.
Ms. Xiao was sentenced to three years and fined 10,000 yuan on May 31, 2024. She is currently appealing the wrongful conviction and still held at the detention center.
This is not the first time that Ms. Xiao has been targeted for her faith. Her latest sentence was preceded by multiple prior arrests and two prison terms totaling seven years.
Ms. Xiao’s first two arrests were in September 2007 and September 2008. She was briefly detained each time. Her home was raided by the police multiple times in 2009. She was held at a brainwashing center for more than one month between October and December 2010. After another arrest in April 2011, Ms. Xiao was given more than eight months of forced labor.
Ms. Xiao was arrested again on December 11, 2013 and sustained severe injuries after being whipped and beaten at the Baojing County Detention Center. The same Huayuan County Court sentenced her to three years on May 21, 2014 and she was transferred to the Hunan Province Women’s Prison on June 12 that year. On the day of her prison transfer, her sister rushed to the detention center and wanted to take a look at her injuries. Guard Peng Dachun punched Ms. Xiao’s sister in the chest and said, “Even if she could no longer walk, we’d carry her to the prison to serve time!”
Ms. Xiao Yongkang in 2014, while detained for her faith
Ms. Xiao was released in December 2016, only to be arrested again on February 23, 2018. The Huayuan County Court sentenced her to four years on October 30, 2018 and she was admitted to the Hunan Province Women’s Prison on March 20, 2019. She endured horrific torture in the prison, including sleep deprivation, starvation, and constant beatings. Several inmates once poured urine over her head and wiped a used sanitary napkin across her mouth.
Two Other Cases Tried by the Same Court
In addition to Ms. Xiao, the Huayuan County Court also tried two other local residents for practicing Falun Gong.
Mr. Liang Song, 57, works at the Jinfeng Ceramic Factory in Baojing County, which borders Huayuan County and is also under the administration of Xiangxi Autonomous Prefecture. His case was assigned to the Huayuan County Court. He stood trial on the same day as Ms. Xiao, on December 20, 2023. It is unclear whether his case was related to hers. He is currently awaiting a verdict at the Baojing County Detention Center.
Mr. Liang’s trial followed his arrest on July 23, 2023. The Baojing County Police Department officers raided his rental place and childhood home, confiscating two computers, three printers and multiple Falun Gong books.
Ms. Nie Jingxia, around 60, is a clothing shop owner in Huayuan County. She was arrested in her shop on September 4, 2023. The police raided her store and her home. She stood trial at the Huayuan County Court on February 25, 2024. She is currently awaiting a verdict at the Xiangxi Autonomous Prefecture Detention Center.
Related Reports:
Hunan Woman Endured Horrific Torture During Four-year Term for Practicing Falun Gong
Ms. Xiao Yongkang Taken to Prison After Being Beaten and Whipped in Detention
Ms. Xiao Yongkang Still Being Held in Detention Center
Ms. Xiao Yongkong Detained for Sharing Information About Falun Gong
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