(Minghui.org) Nine residents of Handan City, Hebei Province, were arrested last July for their faith in Falun Gong, and three of them were sentenced between March and May this year.
Mr. Tong Ruiqing, 76, and Mr. Xing Jingyu were arrested on July 18, 2022, during a police sweep. Another seven local Falun Gong practitioners were also arrested on the same day, including Mr. Ji Ruiling, Mr. Liu Yantao, Ms. Xing Jinhong, Ms. Deng Xiuying, Mr. Deng Junxue, Mr. Niu Fuguo, and Cui (who first name and gender wasn’t known).
While most other practitioners were released days later, Mr. Ji, Mr. Tong, and Mr. Xing remained in custody. Mr. Ji, 71, was sentenced to three years on March 24, 2023, by the Feixiang District Court. Mr. Tong and Mr. Xing were convicted two months later on May 13 by the Daming County Court. Mr. Tong was given 4.5 years and he has been taken to the Jidong Prison. Mr. Xing was given 1.5 years and it’s not clear where he is currently incarcerated.
Mr. Tong used to work for the Handan City Municipal Labor Bureau in Hebei Province before he retired. Prior to his latest sentencing, he was previously incarcerated twice for a total of nine years. Another 15 members of his family were also arrested and detained for their shared faith in Falun Gong. His sister passed away as a result of the persecution. Even his granddaughter, who does not practice Falun Gong, wasn’t spared--she was held as a hostage when the police attempted to arrest him.
Related report:
Copyright © 2023 Minghui.org. All rights reserved.
