(Minghui.org) A Liaoyang City, Liaoning Province resident was sentenced to 1.5 years in prison for practicing Falun Gong, an ancient mind-body practice that has been persecuted by the Chinese communist regime since 1999.

Ms. Qin Yaling’s arrest and detention has left her family in deep distress. Her daughter is currently in college. Her husband has a medical condition and needs her care. Her ailing father, in his 80s, has lost his appetite worrying about her.

Ms. Qin, 55, was arrested on May 7, 2019 after being reported for distributing informational materials about Falun Gong. The police ransacked her home the next day and confiscated her Falun Gong books and other materials.

Ms. Qin appeared in the Wensheng District Court on August 23, 2019. The court didn’t inform her of the hearing ahead of time, as required by law.

Ms. Qin’s lawyer entered a not guilty plea for her. He argued that no law has ever criminalized Falun Gong in China and that no evidence existed to prove she had caused harm to anyone for practicing her faith. Ms. Qin also testified in her own defense. 

The judge sentenced Ms. Qin to 1.5 years with a 10,000-yuan fine on October 23, 2019. The court informed her of the verdict on October 31 and told her lawyer around November 4.

Ms. Qin is currently held at the Liaoyang City Detention Center and has appealed the sentence.