Extra Bio Info:

Zhang Aili was imprisoned for her religious belief and activity.

In November 2018, authorities arrested Zhang reportedly in relation to her practice of Falun Gong. She was held at the Dongying City Detention Center, where it is reported that she had been mistreated.

In December 2019, the Dongying District Court sentenced Zhang to two years and ten months in prison for "organizing or using a cult to undermine implementation of the law" (Art. 300 CCL). She was also fined 8,000 yuan.  She was reportedly denied access to her legal counsel.

In April 2020, the Dongying City Intermediate Court rejected Zhang's appeal.

In July 2020, Zhang was transferred to Shandong Province Women’s Prison.

Zhang's sentence should have ended in January 2021.

Zhang's son is a U.S. resident.

Zhang has been previously arrested in relation to her Falun Gong activities.

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.

Extra Bio Info:

Deng Cuiping was imprisoned for her religious activity.

On July 24, 2016, officers from the Public Security Bureau in Chengjiang County detained Deng and four others for distributing Falun Gong materials. Later that day, officers from Eshan County and Hongta District raided Deng’s home and seized her computer, printer, books, and CDs. Deng was formally arrested on September 1, 2016 and charged with "organizing or using a cult to undermine implementation of the law" (Art. 300 CCL)

On February 24, 2017, Eshan County People’s Court sentenced Deng to six years in prison and fined her 10,000 yuan.

On March 6, 2017, Deng's request for bail was denied.

On May 18, 2017, Deng was transferred to the Second Women's Prison in Yunnan Province.

Deng reportedly suffers from cysts on her thigh. Similarly, her health has reportedly deteriorated during her imprisonment.

Deng's sentence should have ended in July 2022.

Prior to her most recent arrest, Deng has been harassed and detained several times related to her practice of Falun Gong. Her home was raided both August 1999 and October 2000. In late 2004, she was prohibited from teaching. On April 8, 2006, Deng was reportedly sentenced to a three-year prison term at Second Women’s Prison in Yunnan Province. During this time, she was reportedly tortured.