(Minghui.org) Ms. Liu Xiurong, a Falun Gong practitioner from Zichuan District, Zibo City (Shandong Province) was in custody for over a year before being given a three-and-a-half-year prison term by the Zichuan District Court on June 20, 2019. She has filed an appeal with the Zibo City Court.

Her husband, Mr. Li Dongtai, is diabetic and bedridden from a stroke. His health has deteriorated since 2006, and he relies on his wife's care.

Ms. Liu was initially arrested by officers from the Songlinglu Police Station, led by Wei Guoning, a senior staff member, and Yu Yingxin, head of the No. 1 Squadron, from the Zichuan District Domestic Security Division on April 17, 2018. The officers ransacked her home and confiscated a computer, a printer, informational materials about the persecution of Falun Gong, and other personal belongings. Ms. Liu was released on bail that afternoon after her family paid 2,000 yuan.

Ms. Liu previously suffered from severe asthma, rheumatoid arthritis, and high blood pressure. After she started practicing Falun Gong, the symptoms gradually diminished or disappeared.

Wei Guoning, Yu Yingxin, and officers from the Songlinglu Police Station went to Ms. Liu’s home and questioned her on several occasions in April 2019. Personnel from the Zichuan District Procuratorate went to Ms. Liu’s home to verify various charges in early May 2019 before her case was sent to the court. The intense stress left Ms. Liu short of breath, and she had difficulty sleeping. This led to a brief hospitalization.

Li Jialin, deputy president, Criminal Tribunal, Zichuan District Court, told Ms. Liu on May 13, that the court had received the paperwork to proceed with her trial.

Ms. Liu was tried by the Zichuan District Court at 9:00 a.m. on June 20, 2019. Li Jialin was the presiding judge, Xu Jing was a judge, Zhang Yanjie was a juror, and Sun Wenjing was the prosecutor.

Ms. Liu's three-and-a-half-year prison term was the recommended sentence submitted to the court by the Zichuan District 610 Office on August 1, 2019.

Related report:Additional Persecution News from China – June 11, 2019 (11 Reports)

Participants in the persecution of Ms. Liu:Liu Yaning (刘亚宁), president, Zibo City Court: +86-15905339996, +86-3259766Zong Zhiqiang (宗志强), president, Zichuan District Court: +86-5281677Li Jialin (李佳霖), deputy president, Criminal Tribunal, Zichuan District Court: +86-533-5280236Wei Guoning (韦国宁), senior staff, Zichuan District Domestic Security Division: +86-15666701816, +86-13561697100Yu Yingxin (于英新), head of the No. 1 Squadron, Zichuan District Domestic Security Division: +86-15666703389Li Jie (李杰), head, Zichuan District 610 Office: +86-13964437304