(Minghui.org) A Liaocheng City, Shandong Province resident was sentenced to seven years with a 10,000-yuan fine on January 10, 2024 for her faith in Falun Gong, a mind-body practice that has been persecuted by the Chinese Communist Party since July 1999.
Ms. Xu Jinfeng’s appeal was rejected on May 7, and she was admitted to Division 11 of the Shandong Province Women’s Prison on June 13. Her vision declined in just one month of prison admission, and she could not see things clearly. She suffers from memory problems, as well.
Ms. Xu’s family filed a motion to reconsider her case after she lost her appeal, but the motion was denied on July 26.
Arrest
Ms. Xu was arrested on August 12, 2022, while studying the Falun Gong teachings at a private home. More than 30 agents broke in and seized Ms. Xu and her over ten guests.
While most of the practitioners were soon released, Ms. Xu and four others were held at a hotel until August 31, 2022, when they were released under house arrest.
The five of them were summoned to the Zhenxing Police Station on October 17, 2022 and deposed by the Dong’e County Procuratorate. They were summoned again on November 7 that year and forced to undergo physical examinations. They were then taken to a hotel, but were released days later after they all experienced medical conditions.
Ms. Xu was notified on January 18, 2023 that she’d be taken back into custody. She went into hiding, but was arrested on October 31, 2023 and taken to the Liaocheng City Detention Center.
The Dong’e County Court tried Ms. Xu on December 11, 2023 and her lawyer entered a not guilty plea for her. Her family defender and other loved ones were body searched as the bailiffs suspected them of “revealing” the court date and time to the public.
Ms. Xu was sentenced to seven years and fined 10,000-yuan on January 10, 2024. Her family defender picked up her official verdict that day. Her lawyer met with her two days later and filed an appeal on her behalf.
The Liaocheng City Intermediate Court ruled against Ms. Xu on May 7, 2024 without holding a hearing. She was transferred to the Shandong Province Women’s Prison on June 13. Her family filed a motion to reconsider her case with the Liaocheng City Intermediate Court, the Liaocheng City Procuratorate, the Shandong Province High Court, and the Shandong Province Procuratorate. They received a notice from the Liaocheng City Intermediate Court on July 26 to reject the motion. The notice did not specify which laws the court relied on to arrive at its decision.
Related Report:
Seven Shandong Residents Tried for Practicing Falun Gong, Three Already Sentenced
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