(Clearwisdom.net) My name is Zhao Jinyu. I'm a 72-year-old man. I am retired from my position at the Yeboshou Rail Station in Jianping County, Caoyang City, Liaoning Province. My 33-year-old son, Zhao Hongli, used to live on Tenan Street in Yeboshou Township, Jianping County, Caoyang City, Liaoning Province.

At around 10:00 a.m. on April 3, 2004, while visiting Qiao Zhongjin, Huang Dianxiang of Longcheng District National Security Corps in Caoyang City, Liaoning Province, illegally arrested Mr. Zhao Hongli (my son). The Shuangta District Court illegally sentenced him to eight years in prison for the crime of "gravely undermining the implementation of the law." This is yet another case where the court decision is obviously not based on the facts.

We ask that the Shuangta District Court rescind its groundless and illegal decision against Mr. Zhao Hongli, and set him free with a verdict of "not guilty." We also request that the responsible persons be investigated and punished under the law, since it's unlawful for law enforcement officials to falsely arrest people.

On April 3, 2004, Mr. Zhao Hongli went to Qiao Zhongjin's home to talk about the three-phase power system for his business. He did nothing illegal, but law enforcement officials unlawfully arrested him and took him to jail nonetheless. Afterwards, they failed to notify his family of the arrest within the legal time limit. When the arrest warrant was issued, they didn't serve the warrant to his family members. The court failed to notify Mr. Zhao's family of the time and place where the trial was to be held, and denied my son the right to be defended by an attorney, which represents serious violations of the law and a mishandling of his case according to established legal procedures. The responsible authorities and individuals are: Huang Dianxiang of Longcheng District National Security Corps and the Shuangta District Court in Caoyang City, Liaoning Province.

What the criminal law is supposed to rectify (China usually uses it to "attack" instead of "rectify") is people's behavior, not their thoughts, nor should it be applied differently according to class. The legal judgment against Mr. Zhao is based on forged evidence, which is contrary to legal requirements. The court's decision states, "Mr. Zhao Hongli conspired with others to illegally spread propaganda materials." But, when, where, and to whom did he give propaganda materials? Legal decisions should be based on irrefutable evidence (witnesses, physical evidence and documented evidence). The court made a decision based solely on a couple's testimony, while failing to conduct a proper investigation. How was Mr. Zhao supplied with 40,000 flyers? What were the circumstances and methods used? How did Mr. Zhao distribute the flyers? No evidence to answer these questions was heard by the court, yet Mr. Zhao was sentenced to eight years in prison.

What the law is supposed to govern are people's actions, not their beliefs. Mr. Zhao broke no laws, but was still sentenced to eight years in prison. While in prison, he wrote a letter of appeal, but the guards of the Third Area at Panjin Prison in Liaoning Province deemed it an "unreasonable appeal." They confiscated the appeal document, which they eventually made "disappear."

Why did Mr. Zhao choose to go on a hunger strike? He's been on a hunger strike for six months, and the tube they use to force feed him has caused injuries to his nasal cavity. He was fed intravenously to keep him alive, but now his veins have become too difficult to penetrate. He is no longer able to walk or stand up. In fact he's too weak to speak. He is so emaciated that his life is hanging by a thread. Even so, the prison doctor, Gao, from the Fifth Area of Panjin Prison, told his family that his physical condition is "normal." The official responsible for the Third Area of Panjin Prison has said repeatedly that they are not responsible for Mr. Zhao's health.

It is impossible for him to eat normally - he vomits whenever he is force-fed, and intravenous injections are impossible. How long can he hold on like this? Who can take responsibility for his life?

Zhao Hongli was diagnosed with a congenital heart problem (mitral incompetence and ventricular septal defect) when he was a child. His family couldn't afford the recommended corrective surgery. His doctor said that if he didn't have the operation his life expectancy would only be thirty to forty years, but through practicing Falun Dafa, he became stronger and his heart problem was cured. TV stations have broadcast much propaganda about how Falun Dafa practitioners commit "murder, arson, suicide and self-immolation," but my son never did any of those things. What I've seen is how he follows the principles of "truthfulness, compassion and tolerance" to be a good person and has become a better person with noble thoughts and a healthy body through practice.

I've read many legal documents.

Article 35 of the Constitution of the Peoples Republic of China (PRC) states that: "Citizens of the People's Republic of China enjoy freedom of speech, of the press, of assembly, of association, of procession and of demonstration."

Article 36 of the PRC Constitution states: "Citizens of the People's Republic of China enjoy freedom of religious belief."

Article 18 of Universal Declaration of Human Rights states: "Everyone has the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion."

Article 33 of the PRC Constitution states: "All citizens of the People's Republic of China are equal before the law. Every citizen is entitled to rights, and, at the same time must perform the duties proscribed by the Constitution and the law."

Article 37 of the PRC Constitution states: "The freedom of citizens of the People's Republic of China is inviolable."

Article 38 of the PRC Constitution states: "The personal dignity of citizens of the People's Republic of China is inviolable. Insult, libel, false accusation or false incrimination directed against citizens via any means is prohibited."

While Zhao Hongli is on the brink of death, I've shared my opinion with you in the hope that justice might be restored. Facing Zhao Hongli's difficult situation, I hope all kind-hearted people will lend a hand to help him. His family and everyone else concerned are waiting for assistance.

Appealed by Zhao Jinyu of the Yeboshou Rail Station, Jianping County, Caoyang City, Liaoning Province

Date: April 20, 2006

Relevant telephone numbers to call

Country code 86
Ma Zhongchang, procurator-general, People's Procuratorate: 427-2681501
Liang Qingbao, deputy procurator-general, People's Procuratorate: 427-2681502
Patient's ward of the Fifth Area, Panjin Prison, Liaoning Province: 427-5638124
Zhang Ming: 427-5638088
Mu Tiejun: 427-5638258
Zhang Defu: 427-5638217
Zhou Jianxin: 427-5637960
Administration and Education Section, the Third Area, Panjin Prison, Liaoning Province: 427-5630145
Hu Meifa, director of Prison Policy Division, Panjin Prison, Liaoning Province: 427-5637369 (office), 427-5637400 (home), 13704273388 (cell)
Song Wanzhong, warden of Panjin Prison, Liaoning Province: 427-5632100
Wang Jinglong, head of Caoyang City National Security Corps, Liaoning Province: 421-2614820