Minghui Reports that the nine practitioners were illegally sentenced to up to six years of imprisonment on January 27, 2014, for installing satellite dishes capable of receiving uncensored news about China. The practitioners appealed their cases but have been met at every turn with interference from Dalian Intermediate Court officials.

Judge He Yunpo from the intermediate court threatened the families to discontinue their contract with the lawyers at the risk of losing legal counsel entirely. He advised them to spend their money on food for the practitioners in the detention center.