Gender: Male

Perpetrator: China

Ethnic Group: Han

Religion or Belief: Falun Gong

Reports of Torture: No

Reports of Medical Neglect: No

Appeal: Rejected

Sentence: 3 Years' Imprisonment

Date of Detainment: September/19/2017

Date of Sentencing: June/28/2018

Date of Release: September/19/2020

Current Status: Released

Most Recent Type of Abuse: Imprisonment

Reason for Persecution: Religious Activity

Nature of Charges: Cult

Ma Zhenyu

Extra Bio Info:

Ma Zhenyu was imprisoned for his religious activity. 

On September 19, 2017, authorities arrested Ma after he sent mail to government leaders about Falun Gong persecution.

On June 28, 2018, the Xuanwu District Court sentenced Ma to three years in prison for "organizing or using a cult to undermine implementation of the law" (Art. 300 CCL) and fined him 30,000 yuan.

On August 30, 2018, the Nanjing Intermediate People's Court rejected Ma's appeal. There are reports that Ma was denied adequate legal representation.

On July 17, 2019, Zhang Yuhua, Ma's wife and a U.S. resident, met with President Donald Trump at the White House.

On July 20, 2020, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo mentioned Ma in a press release commemorating China's persecution of Falun Gong practitioners. 

On September 19, 2020, Ma was released from prison after completing his sentence. 

Ma is married with one child. 

Ma has been previously arrested on multiple occasions for his Falun Gong activities, including in 1999, 2000, and 2011. He served seven years in prison between 2000 and 2007. During these arrests and imprisonments, Ma was reportedly tortured.

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