(Minghui.org) A 57-year-old resident of Harbin City, Heilongjiang Province, lost his appeal against a two-year prison term on October 9, 2024.

Mr. Wang Hong was arrested at night on December 13, 2023, when he returned home from his night shift job. Before he reached his apartment building, five officers seized him and searched his car. They confiscated the Falun Gong informational materials that were in the vehicle.

Falun Gong is a mind-body practice that has been persecuted by the Chinese Communist Party since July 1999. Mr. Wang took up Falun Gong despite the persecution and became a kinder and more considerate person. In his spare time, he raised awareness of the persecution and told people Falun Gong was nothing like what’s depicted in the communist regime’s hate propaganda.

Mr. Wang was taken to the Harbin City Second Detention Center after his arrest. On January 11, 2024, his lawyer and family went to the local Domestic Security Division to request his case be dropped and that he be released. Their requests were rejected.

The Harbin City Railway Transportation Court sentenced Mr. Wang to two years in prison on June 17. His appeal was registered with the Harbin City Railway Transportation Intermediate Court in September 2024. His appeals lawyer was unable to reach the prosecutor in charge of the case until September 25. Hours later, the appeals court notified the lawyer that a hearing was scheduled for October 9. The lawyer requested a postponement to have more time to prepare for his defense but his request was rejected.

The appeals hearing was held on October 9 and the ruling upheld the original verdict against Mr. Wang.