(Minghui.org) A Suining City, Sichuan Province, resident, was tried by the Chuanshan District Court on August 28, 2020, and sentenced to 2.5 years with 4 years probation. Ms. Tan Xiuqing was also fined 3,000 yuan.
Ms. Tan, 70, was arrested on December 11, 2019, after being reported for spending banknotes with information printed on them about Falun Gong, a spiritual practice that has been persecuted by the Chinese communist regime since 1999. Another 70-year-old Falun Gong practitioner, Ms. Xiang, was also arrested together with her.
The police ransacked Ms. Tan’s home and confiscated her computer, Falun Gong books, and 1,500 yuan in banknotes with Falun Gong information printed on them. With strict information censorship in China, many practitioners are using creative ways to spread information about the persecution of their faith, including printing messages on banknotes.
Ms. Xiang was released on the day of the arrest. Ms. Tan was kept in Yongxing Detention Center and subjected to prosecution.
Before taking up Falun Gong, Ms. Tan struggled with poor health and had low energy. She became very healthy and energetic after doing the Falun Gong exercises. Her husband, Mr. Xia Zhicheng, also began to practice Falun Gong upon witnessing the positive changes in her.
After the communist regime ordered the persecution in 1999, Ms. Tan and Mr. Xia have been constantly harassed for their faith.
On April 12, 2018, three community workers went to the couple’s home and requested to record their IDs, phone numbers, and household registration that contained information about their family members. When the couple refused to provide their information, their son and daughter-in-law, who lived with them, were forced to turn in their own information.
On May 11 of the same year, another community worker came to the couple’s home. She attempted to take a photo of Mr. Xia, who was at home by himself. After he refused to have his photo taken, the community worker asked where his son and daughter-in-law worked.
The couple was harassed again by the police and residential committee staff in 2019. The officials broke into their home, attempted to search their daughter-in-law’s bedroom, and were unsuccessful in trying to get their key from Ms. Tan’s granddaughter. The officers stayed at the couple’s home for over two hours and then left.
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