(Minghui.org) An 82-year-old woman with difficulty walking is facing trial for her faith in Falun Gong, a mind-body discipline that has been persecuted by the Chinese communist regime since 1999.

Ms. Zhao Fenglan, a Benxi City, Liaoning Province resident, was arrested twice, on February 7, 2015, and February 23, 2016, respectively, for passing out Falun Gong materials. She was given ten days of detention both times, but the authorities didn’t enforce the detention.

Ms. Zhao was arrested again on May 18, 2017, for distributing Falun Gong materials. The police released her on bail but didn’t tell her that she was still facing prosecution or that she was under any travel restrictions.

On June 21, 2020, the police went to Ms. Zhao’s home and arrested her without showing their ID or any warrant. As Ms. Zhao was having trouble walking and talking, the police forcibly carried her downstairs. Upon arriving at the police station, the police put Ms. Zhao in a chair and carried her upstairs into the interrogation room.

The police interrogated her from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. They claimed that they had attempted to look for her at home, but couldn’t find her. They accused her of violating her bail condition and put her on the wanted list. 

Ms. Zhao was terrified by the interrogation and she remained very weak after she was sent back home later that day. 

Staff members of the Pingshan District Procuratorate visited Ms. Zhao at home on July 13, 2020, and told her that she has been indicted for her previous actions of distributing Falun Gong materials. She is now awaiting trial by the Pingshan District Court.