U.S. sanctions Chinese official over human rights violations against Falun Gong practitioners

Secretary of State Blinken on Wednesday announced the designation of a Chinese Communist Party official in connection with human rights breaches against Falun Gong practitioners.

Yu Hui, the former office director for the "Central Leading Group on Preventing and Dealing with Heretical Religions" of Chengdu, Sichuan province, is barred from entering America, as are his immediate relatives.

"He is designated for his involvement in gross violations of human rights, namely the arbitrary detention of Falun Gong practitioners for their spiritual beliefs," Blinken said.