(Minghui.org) A Guangzhou City, Guangdong Province, resident was sentenced to a year and a half in prison and fined 5,000 yuan for putting up stickers with messages about Falun Gong printed on them.
Falun Gong, also known as Falun Dafa, is a mind-body practice based on the principles of Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance that has been persecuted by the Chinese communist regime since July 1999.
Because Falun Gong practitioners are prevented from using regular channels to seek justice for being persecuted for their faith, they often use creative methods, such as posting stickers or hanging banners, to raise awareness of the persecution.
Ms. Pan Shuping became a target when a surveillance video captured her putting up stickers in December 2017. More than ten officers descended at her home on January 3, 2018. They confiscated her Falun Gong books and over 200 stickers with Falun Gong messages. They also took 2,500 yuan in cash, a gold necklace, and a gold ring.
The police attempted, unsuccessfully, to make Ms. Pan reveal the source of her stickers. She appeared in the Liwan District Court on June 29. Only two of her family members were allowed to attend the trial.
Ms. Pan's lawyer entered a not guilty plea on her behalf and refuted the allegations against her. When the presiding judge asked why the lawyer didn't wear a robe, the lawyer replied that attorneys in China are not required to wear uniforms in court. The judge immediately adjourned the hearing.
The police forced Ms. Pan's husband to pay 1,000 yuan per month for her meals in Zhongluotan Detention Center in the Baiyun District. They threatened to make sure she was handed a heavy sentence if he didn't.
Ms. Pan was sentenced on October 31, and her husband was ordered to pay the 5,000 yuan-fine right away.