Gender: Female

Perpetrator: China

Religion or Belief: Falun Gong

Reports of Torture: No

Reports of Medical Neglect: No

Sentence: 3 Years' Imprisonment

Date of Detainment: June//2019

Date of Release: December/13/2020

Current Status: Released

Most Recent Type of Abuse: Imprisonment

Reason for Persecution: Discussing Religion & Religious Texts Distributing Religious Materials Religious Activity

Nature of Charges: Cult

Yu Shourong

Extra Bio Info:

Yu Shourong was imprisoned for her religious activity. 

In June 2019, authorities arrested Yu for talking to people about Falun Gong in public and distributing Falun Gong-related materials.

On an unspecified date, the Wanghua District Court sentenced Yu to three years in prison for "organizing or using a cult to undermine implementation of the law" (Art. 300 CCL). She was also fined 10,000 yuan.

On December 13, 2020, Yu was release from prison on medical parole after feeling unwell. She was reportedly diagnosed with cancer.

On February 7, 2022, Yu reportedly passed away.

Gender: Female

Perpetrator: China

Religion or Belief: Falun Gong

Reports of Torture: No

Reports of Medical Neglect: No

Sentence: 2 Years, 3 Months' Imprisonment

Date of Detainment: June//2019

Date of Sentencing: March//2020

Current Status: Unknown

Religious Leader: No

Most Recent Type of Abuse: Imprisonment

Reason for Persecution: Distributing Religious Materials Religious Activity

Nature of Charges: Cult

Liu Xifang

Extra Bio Info:

Liu Xifang was imprisoned for her religious activity. 

In June 2019, authorities arrested Liu from her mother's home in Huimin county, Shandong province, after accusing her of handing out Falun Gong-related materials.

In March 2020, Liu was sentenced to two years and three months in prison for "organizing or using a cult to undermine implementation of the law" (Art. 300 CCL).

Liu's sentence should have ended in September 2021.

Liu has at least one child.

Additional Name(s): Khayrullo Turdiyevich Tursunov

Gender: Male

Current Location: Investigation Prison No. 5 in Karshi (Shaykhali Prison)

Perpetrator: Uzbekistan

Religion or Belief: Muslim – Sunni

Reports of Torture: Yes

Sentence: 8 Years' Imprisonment

Date of Detainment: June/16/2024

Current Status: Not Released

Most Recent Type of Abuse: Imprisonment

Reason for Persecution: Attending a Religious Gathering or Meeting Discussing Religion & Religious Texts Religious Activity

Nature of Charges: Conversion Hate Speech Illegal Migration & Entry/Exit of Country Spreading Propaganda & False or Misleading Ideas, Information, or Materials Terrorism Treason & Sedition

Khayrullo Tursunov

Extra Bio Info:

Khayrullo Tursunov is imprisoned for his religious activity. 

In March 2013, Kazakh authorities extradited Tursunov to Uzbekistan after previously fleeing Uzbekistan reportedly because Tursunov met with other Muslims to study the Qur'an and pray without state permission. Authorities reportedly charged Tursunov with “preparation or distribution of materials containing a threat to public security or public order” (Art. 244-1 UCC), "conversion of believers belonging to certain religion to other religions (proselytism) and other missionary activities" (Art. 216-2 (b) UCC), terrorism (Art. 155-1 UCC), "incitement ethnic, racial or religious hatred with previous planning or by a group of individuals" (Art. 156-3(e) UCC), “attempts to overthrow the constitutional order by an organized group or in its interests” (Art. 159-3 (b) UCC), and "illegal exit from or entry into Uzbekistan" (Art. 223-2 UCC). 

In June 2013, Tursunov was sentenced to 16 years in prison. 

Tursunov was reportedly tortured on several occasions and was denied the right to read Qur'an or pray namaz in prison. 

On June 16, 2021, Tursunov was released from prison under unclear circumstances. 

On June 16, 2024, authorities arrested around 100 Muslims, along with Tursunov, on unclear charges and held Tursunov in a secret police prison.  

On June 18, 2024, police arrested Tursunov and other Muslims he was associated with after some of their group had attended a meal at the home of a state employee on that day. Reportedly, the employee regularly arranges meetings for Muslims during which he encourages attendees to make illegal statements while secretly recording them. During the arrest, police were dressed in military camouflage, carried machine guns, and used violence. The Kashkadarya Regional Police Criminal Investigation Department charged Tursunov with "creating, leading, or participating in religious extremist, separatist, fundamentalist or other banned organizations" (Art. 244-2.1 UCC). While detained, police authorities beat Tursunov, damaging his internal organs and his eardrums, impacting his hearing.

On December 18, 2024, the Karshi Criminal Court sentenced Tursunov to eight years in a strict regime prison.