(Minghui.org) A Beijing resident was sentenced to seven years on December 29, 2020 for distributing information about the persecution of her faith, Falun Gong.

Falun Gong, also known as Falun Dafa, is a spiritual and meditation discipline with core principles of “Truthfulness, Compassion, Forbearance.” It was introduced to the public in 1992 and soon drew about 100 million learners. Due to its immense popularity, the communist regime ordered a nationwide campaign against the practice in July 1999, and the persecution continues to this day. 

Ms. Yang Xuehua, around 50, was reported for distributing informational materials about Falun Gong near a subway station on July 21, 2020. The police spent a day going through videos taken by nearby street surveillance cameras and located Ms. Yang. 

On July 23, two dozen officers arrested Ms. Yang. They ransacked both Ms. Yang’s and her mother’s homes and confiscated many of their personal belongings. 

Ms. Yang’s arrest was approved on August 6 and she has been held at the Fengtai District Detention Center since. 

Ms. Yang appeared in Fengtai District Court on December 29. Her lawyer entered a not guilty plea for her. She also testified in her own defense. The judge sentenced her to seven years with a 7,000-yuan fine. 

Her family wasn’t informed of the trial and they didn’t find out about her verdict until two days later. They are now preparing to appeal the verdict for her.