(Minghui.org) Shifang City Court sentenced two locals to prison for refusing to renounce Falun Gong, a spiritual discipline being persecuted by the Chinese communist regime.

Ms. Chen Weiying appeared in court first. She did not have a defense lawyer, and the hearing concluded in about 20 minutes on June 30.

Ms. Chen Yangbi (no relation) was brought in right afterwards. Her lawyer was initially blocked outside when he refused to have his laptop checked. He reminded the bailiffs that defense attorneys are exempt from security checks per Chinese laws and was later allowed inside.

The lawyer entered a not guilty plea for his client, on the grounds that no law in China criminalizes Falun Gong. Both he and Ms. Chen Yangbi’s husband emphasized that she should never have been prosecuted for exercising her constitutional right to freedom of belief.

Ms. Chen Yangbi also testified that she was beaten by police during interrogation, but the judge stopped her from revealing more details. She was soon sentenced to 3 years in prison and fined 5,000 yuan.

The judge next ordered Ms. Chen Weiying to be brought back to hear her verdict. She was given 2 years of prison.