(Minghui.org) A 57-year-old woman was recently sentenced to six years in prison for practicing Falun Gong, a spiritual belief being persecuted by the Chinese Communist regime since 1999. She is preparing to appeal the verdict.
Initial 7-Year Sentence Struck Down by Higher Court
Ms. Yang Huanping, a resident of Shijiazhuang City, Hebei Province, was arrested along with 30 other Falun Gong practitioners on November 15, 2013.
She was sentenced to seven years in prison by the Qiaoxi District Court on September 28, 2015, but was released on parole due to poor health.
Ms. Yang filed an appeal, and the Shijiazhuang Intermediate Court overturned the verdict in December 2016 and ordered a retrial.
Ms. Yang Went into Hiding After Retrial
The Qiaoxi District Court held another hearing for Ms. Yang on June 27, 2017. Her lawyer defended her innocence and argued that she hadn't violated any laws in upholding her faith.
Ms. Yang also testified in her own defense and shared how Falun Gong cured her of liver, kidney and heart problems, as well as helped her become more calm and peaceful.
While the outcome of the retrial is not clear, Ms. Yang went into hiding shortly afterwards to avoid being sent to prison and was then put on the police’s wanted list.
Sentenced to Six Years after Latest Arrest
Ms. Yang was arrested again on October 25, 2019 after the police found her location and monitored her for a while. She has been detained at the No. 2 Detention Center of Shijiazhuang City since. It was recently learned that she has been given six years, but it wasn't clear whether and when a sentencing hearing ever took place.
Three Prior Arrests for Her Faith
Prior to the 2013 arrest, Ms. Yang had been arrested three times for her faith – in 2000, 2001 and 2002. She was released shortly after the first two arrests, but was fined 3,000 yuan. When she was arrested a third time in December 2002, Ms. Yang was detained for 76 days. To avoid the constant police harassment afterwards, she left home for three months in 2004.
Related reports:
Ms. Yang Appeals 7-Year Sentence Because of Fabricated Prosecution Evidence
