(Minghui.org) A married couple in Taian City, Shandong Province were sentenced to prison for their faith in Falun Gong, an ancient spiritual and meditation discipline that has been persecuted by the Chinese communist regime since 1999.

Mr. Li Guo, 48, who works for Xinkuang Mining Group, was arrested on May 26, 2018 while distributing informational materials about Falun Gong.

His wife, Ms. Ma Xiumei, who also practices Falun Gong, was arrested in the evening. Both of them were held at Taian City Detention Center. The police confiscated everything related to Falun Gong, as well as their computer and printer, from their home.

The Ningyang County Procuratorate approved their arrest on July 3, 2018. Ms. Ma was released on bail.

Their cases were transferred to Feicheng City Procuratorate on September 7, 2018, which indicted them on October 19.

The couple appeared in Feicheng City Court on January 7, 2019. Mr. Li was sentenced to 3.5 years in prison, with a 20,000 yuan fine. Ms. Ma was given six months.

Mr. Li is currently serving time at Shandong Province Prison. Ms. Ma was released on May 29, 2019 after finishing her term at Taian City Detention Center.