Grandfather, 90, Sentenced to Two Years for Talking About Falun Gong on Bus

A 90-year-old resident of Jinan City, Shandong Province, has been sentenced to two years in prison for speaking about Falun Gong on a public bus, according to a series of reports first published by Minghui.org on March 10, followed by Weiquanwang on March 11, and later by Bitter Winter on March 19. The case underscores persistent concerns about religious freedom and the treatment of elderly practitioners in China.

Prosecution against a nonagenarian

Mr. Wang Chuanwen, who began practicing Falun Gong in 1996, was detained in August 2025 after reportedly speaking with passengers about his beliefs while riding a bus. According to available accounts, an individual reported the conversation to authorities, prompting police to launch an investigation.

On August 20, officers from the Licheng District Police Department arrested Mr. Wang at his home and transported him to the Baoshan Police Station. During interrogation, authorities presented surveillance footage from the bus. Mr. Wang acknowledged that he appeared in the video but declined to answer further questions.

Following his arrest, Mr. Wang underwent a mandatory medical examination that revealed a systolic blood pressure of approximately 230 mmHg—well above normal levels. Due to his condition, the local detention center refused to admit him, and he was released on bail.

Despite his advanced age and serious health concerns, the case proceeded. In September 2025, prosecutors sought to formalize charges, but Mr. Wang refused to sign legal documents, instead writing a statement asserting his innocence and maintaining that his actions were lawful. The case was later transferred to the Zhangqiu District Court, which tried Mr. Wang in December 2025. On March 3, 2026, the court sentenced him to two years’ imprisonment and imposed a fine of 3,000 yuan (approximately $400 USD). However, due to his medical condition, prison authorities again declined to admit him. He is currently confined to his home under restrictive conditions and has filed an appeal with the Jinan Intermediate People’s Court.

Elderly practitioners and systemic concerns

Mr. Wang’s case reflects a broader pattern of enforcement actions against Falun Gong practitioners in China, including those of advanced age. Since 1999, when the Chinese Communist Party initiated a nationwide campaign against the spiritual practice, reports have documented widespread detention, imprisonment, and alleged mistreatment of adherents.

The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) highlighted these concerns in its 2026 Annual Report, noting that Falun Gong practitioners remain among the groups most affected by severe violations of religious freedom. The report again recommended that China be designated as a “Country of Particular Concern” due to systematic abuses.

Importantly, the report draws attention to the treatment of elderly individuals within this campaign. It cited the case of an 87-year-old practitioner who was compelled to begin serving a three-and-a-half-year prison sentence in 2025, despite age-related vulnerabilities. USCIRF further noted that multiple elderly practitioners reportedly died in custody during the reporting period, raising ongoing concerns about detention conditions, access to medical care, and potential mistreatment.

Mr. Wang’s prosecution—initiated over a single conversation on public transportation—illustrates how standard criminal procedures continue to be applied irrespective of age or health status. While his sentence has not been enforced through incarceration due to medical risks, the conviction remains in place, and restrictions on his liberty persist.

Taken together, these developments point to a continuing pattern in which elderly Falun Gong practitioners face illegal penalties, custodial risks, and sustained pressure, even when their physical condition renders imprisonment impractical. As Mr. Wang’s appeal proceeds, his case may serve as a further indicator of how Chinese authorities balance domestic security priorities with humanitarian considerations for aging populations.