(Minghui.org) Shortly after Ms. Zhang Xiufen, 75, was released in 2019 after serving a four-year term for her faith in Falun Gong, Ms. Liu Fenglian, 73, another resident of the Yanshan District in suburban Beijing, was sentenced to prison that same year. This is the second time that Ms. Liu has been sentenced; she was sentenced to three years in 2004 by the same Fangshan District Court.

Ms. Liang Shuqing, 69, who also lives in the Yanshan District, was sentenced to 4.5 years on December 16, 2021, for her faith in Falun Gong.

The district of Yanshan is an industrial area with a population of over 100,000. Falun Gong, an ancient spiritual discipline, was introduced to the area in 1994, and it’s estimated that over 800 had taken up the practice by the time the Chinese Communist Party began to persecute it in 1999.

Prior to the persecution, practitioners were often seen doing the exercises in their neighborhoods, in the parks, or on public plazas. They strove to live by Falun Gong’s principles of Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance and brought about many positive changes in their families and at work.

Since 1999, many of these practitioners have been persecuted for upholding their belief. According to available data, at least 13 practitioners were sentenced, over 30 were given forced labor camp terms, over 60 were detained, and more than 200 were arrested, were harassed, had their homes ransacked, or were taken to brainwashing centers.

Ms. Hao Jingzhi was given 1.5 years of forced labor by the Yanshan Court in 2000. She suffered a stroke while serving time in Xin’an Forced Labor Camp and died.

During a massive arrest of local practitioners, Ms. Tian’s husband was so frightened that he passed out. He later died in the hospital.

Others who were known to have been sentenced include:

Mr. Duan Yonggang, sentenced to four years in the Yanshan District Court in 2000;

Mr. Liu Guangwen, to four years in the Yanshan District Court in 2000;

Mr. Wang Yongjian, to three years in the Fangshan District Court in 2004. (Note: the Yanshan District was remapped into the Fangshan District after 2003.);

Mr. Ren Xiaokun, to three years in the Fangshan District Court in 2004;

Mr. Hou Yusheng, to three years in the Fangshan District Court in 2004;

and Ms. Ma Guoxin, to three years in the Fangshan District Court in 2004.

Mr. Li Yong was sentenced to an unknown term by the Yanshan District Court. He was fired by the petrochemical company after his release from prison.

Mr. Zhang Guanghui was sentenced to three years by a court in nearby Hebei Province. He was also fired by the petrochemical company after his release.

Mr. Cheng Song was sentenced to prison twice. The terms aren’t clear.

Mr. Shen Tao was sentenced by the Fangshan District Court for an unknown term.