(Minghui.org) A man in Changtu County, Liaoning Province, was recently sentenced to one and a half years because he practices Falun Gong, a spiritual discipline that has been persecuted by the Chinese communist regime since 1999.

Mr. Song Fuyuan used to suffer many severe ailments, including high blood pressure and conditions in his heart, kidney and digestive system. After his younger brother died of kidney failure, he was worried he’d face the same fate. He learned about Falun Gong’s health benefits and began practicing despite the ongoing persecution. Soon after, he regained health. He was grateful and told people the truth about the persecution.

On November 21, 2025, officers from the Jinjia Town Police Station broke into Mr. Song’s home and searched it. He was at home alone and was terrified. He fainted and wet his pants due to incontinence. The police took him to the Jinjia Town Hospital to be resuscitated. As soon as he regained consciousness in the hospital, the police forced the ambulance to take him to the Changtu County Detention Center. Despite his condition, the guards admitted him. They also beat him and accused him of faking an illness.

The police later submitted Mr. Song’s case to the Changtu County Procuratorate. Prosecutor Huang Dongxue indicted him shortly after.

Mr. Song appeared in the Changtu County Court on March 4, 2026. The hearing was presided over by judge Wang Ning. Prosecutors Cui Haoyan and Chen Dan attended the session on behalf of Huang.

The two prosecutors questioned Mr. Song whether he acknowledged his signature on the “Plea of Guilty and Acceptance of Punishment” document. He said he was forced by the police to sign it. Judge Wang threatened to sentence him to three to five years if he didn’t plead guilty.

Mr. Song’s lawyer entered a not guilty plea for him. Mr. Song explained why he practiced Falun Gong and distributed materials about it.

The judge sentenced Mr. Song to one and a half years on March 31, 2026.