Jinan City, Shandong Province: Married Couple Sentenced, Four Others Facing Trial, and 13 More Facing Indictment for Practicing Falun Gong

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May 4, 2026 | By a Minghui correspondent in Shandong Province, China

(Minghui.org) A married couple in Jinn City, Shandong Province, were both sentenced to prison on April 15, 2026, for their faith in Falun Gong, a mind-body practice that has been persecuted by the Chinese Communist Party since July 1999.

Mr. Liu Ruping, 65, was given three and a half years. His wife, Ms. Zhang Chenglan, 62, received three years. They were arrested on September 29, 2025, during a police sweep targeting over 40 Falun Gong practitioners (see the first related report, linked below, for details of the arrest and a list of arrested practitioners). The male practitioners were taken to the Changqing District Detention Center, and the women were placed in the Jinan City Detention Center.

Mr. Liu, a lawyer by training, and Ms. Zhang stood trial in the Changqing District Court on March 13, 2026, and were convicted on April 15. Details of their trial are unclear. It is also unclear whether they have been transferred to prison yet.

Prior to their latest persecution episode, the couple were repeatedly targeted for their faith. They were both held in forced labor camps, and Mr. Liu served a prior 7-year prison term.

Four Facing Trial

Besides the couple, four other practitioners arrested during the police sweep in September 2025 are also facing trial. Ms. Ji Fenglan, 61, was set to appear in the Changqing District Court on April 30, 2026.

Mr. Fang Yusheng, 61, and his wife, Ms. Chen Xuejing, are set to stand trial in the Changqing District Court on May 6, 2026.

Ms. Wang Qinping, 57, is scheduled to stand trial at the Zhangqiu District Court on May 22, 2026. Her lawyer said that the Changqing District Court’s indictment against her was initially turned down by the court but was approved one month later. Her case was then moved to the Zhangqiu District Procuratorate. The lawyer met with Ms. Wang at the Jinan City Detention Center on March 19, 2026, and noted that she was in a confused state. She said she was suffering from high blood pressure and blurred vision. Her once dark hair had turned gray, and she seemed to have aged significantly since her arrest.

Thirteen Facing Indictment

Among the practitioners arrested during the police sweep, 13 are facing indictment after being issued formal arrest warrants. They are: Mr. Zhang Kuifu, in his 70s; Mr. Wang Housheng, in his 60s; Mr. Wang Fuxing, 61; Ms. Wang Qian, in her 50s; Ms. Song Yan, 60; Ms. Li Jihong, 74; Mr. Zhao Shanning, 37; Ms. Zhang Chengqin, 65; Ms. Wang Ruilian, in her 50s; Li Guizhen (gender unknown), 75; Ms. Zhao Xiang, 65; Mr. Tian Shulin, 83; and Ms. Zhang Yanyuan, 60.

The Persecution of Married Couple Mr. Liu Ruping and Ms. Zhang Chenglan

Wangcun Forced Labor Camp Again Refuses to Release Mr. Liu Ruping, An Attorney in Shandong Province

Lawyer from Jinan City, Shandong Province, Mr. Liu Ruping, is Tortured at Wangcun Forced Labor Camp

Mr. Liu Ruping, A Lawyer from Jinan Province, Arrested Again

Attorney Mr. Liu Ruping in Jinan City Arrested, His 84-year-old Father Dies in Distress

Ms. Zhang Chenglan Persecuted in Shandong No. 1 Women's Forced Labor Camp (Photos)

Human Rights Abuse of Falun Gong Practitioners Continues into 2018

Chinese Lawyers Face Persecution for Defending Rights

Shandong Lawyer and Wife Illegally Tried Again

Shandong No. 1 Prison Tries to Cover Up Their Crime by Not Allowing Family to Visit

About 60 Practitioners from Throughout China Tortured in Shandong Prison

Shandong Provincial Prison Uses Criminals to "Transform" Good People