(Minghui.org) Seven Falun Gong practitioners were illegally sentenced by Peicheng District Court in Mianyang City, Sichuan Province, on November 12, 2013.
Mr. Ma Zisheng was sentenced to a seven-year term, Mr. Li Shuangquan to five years, and Mr. Tang Ming and Mr. Mu Zhitai each to three years. Ms. Ma Mingli, Ms. Ren Biying, and Mr. Dai Changquan were all sentenced to three years, but their sentences were suspended for three years.
Mianyang police arrested the seven on July 6, 2012, and held them a detention center. Defended by a lawyer from Beijing, they were tried in the local court on March 1, 2013. Peicheng District Court ignored the defense, and the law, in imposing the sentences.
The practitioners addressed the court during their trial. Mr. Tang Ming said, “Falun Gong is upright and righteous. It teaches people to be good according to the principles of Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance. I haven't broken any laws.” Mr. Mu Zhitai said, “The Roman Empire's arrogant persecution of the Christians led to its downfall. There are so many lessons in history where persecuting good people led to a bad end for those involved.” Mr. Ma Zisheng said, “Falun Dafa is very moral and righteous and shows people how to be good. I am not guilty of any crime.” The court-appointed lawyer demanded that Mr. Ma admit that the signatures being presented as “evidence” were his. Mr. Ma Zisheng asked the lawyer to step out and said, “You are not my defense lawyer.”
The Mianyang Police Department, Procuratorate, and court officials ignore the law and sentence innocent people. They override China's constitution, and by making a mockery of the law, invite future ridicule. All who have participated in the persecution will pay for their behavior.
Huang Jiemei (黄杰梅), chief justice
Zhang Ming (张明), public prosecutor
