Courtroom Observers Visibly Moved by Attorney's Rational and Righteous Defense of Falun Gong Practitioners

(Minghui.org) Yanta District Court officials in Xi’an conducted an illegal trial on November 28, 2012 for Falun Gong practitioners Ms. Zhang Ling, Ms. Tao Meiyi, Ms. He Changhua and Mr. Zhang Yunshen. Three lawyers defended the innocent practitioners. Among them, attorney Guo’s rational and righteous defense statement lasted over half an hour. Several dozen officials from the police department, Procuratorate, court, 610 Office and courtroom observers were visibly moved by the defense statement.

The four practitioners presented their statements of innocence openly and in a dignified manner during the trial. They explained to the court how Domestic Security Unit police officers forcefully coerced their confessions. When the judge attempted to interrupt their statements, an attorney protested immediately.

Attorney Guo reasoned that Falun Gong is not a cult according to the Chinese Constitution, law, and actual behavior of Falun Gong practitioners. He also pointed out that the arrest and convictions of practitioners is opposed to freedom of religion, separation of politics and religion, the universal principle that “belief cannot be a crime, criminal law only punishes behavior”, and is opposed to the spirit of the Constitution.

Following his defense statement, Guo said, “This case appears to be a simple criminal case, but is in fact, an unusual Constitutional case because it involves citizens' freedom of religion. If we do not abide by the principle ‘The Constitution is the law of the country, and all other laws, government and local laws cannot be in conflict with the Constitution’, and if behavior supported in the constitution is punished by laws or regulations that violate the constitution, then the result is injustice. Attorney Guo called for the judge to respect citizens’ constitutional rights, assume the court's historic responsibility, face reality and one's conscience, put the rule-of-law into practice, and deliver a “not guilty” verdict for all defendants.

Xi’an practitioner Ms. Zhang Lin was illegally arrested by security officials at the end of 2011, while she was posting “A letter to predestined people” in a residential area of Yanta District. The letter explained the truth about Falun Gong. Zhang Lin’s older brother, Zhang Yunshen, was also detained after attempting to intercede. Practitioner Tao Meiyi heard about the incident, then went to the police station to ask for their release, but she too was arrested. Officer Yan Meiming of the Domestic Security Unit of Yanta Police Department broke into and illegally searched Ms. Zhang’s apartment. Police also arrested practitioner He Changhua who was renting the apartment. Police confiscated three printers, two laptop computers, several cell phones, Falun Dafa materials, and a bank card containing over 20,000 yuan ($3,200 USD).

Zhang Lin, Zhang Yunshen and He Changhua were taken to the Yanta Detention Center; Tao Meiyi was held at the Changle Detention Center in the Xinchen District. Nearly a year has passed since then. In January 2012, a group of police officers led by Yan Meiming went to Chongqing. They conspired with police in the Yuzhong District, then threatened and harassed Tao Meiyi’s mother and older sister. As a result, Tao’s mother fell into depression and was hospitalized for over four months.

Personnel and organizations responsible for this persecution:

Domestic Security Unit of Yanta Police Department, Xi’an:

Li Qiben, captain: [phone] (office), 13700291715 (cell)
Yan Meiming, captain: [phone] (office), 13909215277 (cell)
Gong Haihong: [phone] (office), 15909296588 (cell)
Du Min, assistant captain: [phone] (office), 13379090680 (cell)
Meng Zhixin: [phone] (office), 13571886987 (cell)
An Yanong: [phone] (office), 13659245306 (cell)
Hu Hao: [phone] (office), 13991316639 (cell)
Xin Hongmin: [phone] (office), 13991316639 (cell)
Liu Manliang: [phone] (office), 13519153373 (cell)
Yuan Wei: [phone] (office), 13991970622 (cell)
Zhao Hongrong: [phone] (office), 13991357183 (cell)
Liu Fubo: [phone] (office), 13572848819 (cell)
Li Wei: [phone] (office), 18992836909 (cell)
Han Weili: [phone] (office), 13649213511 (cell)
Wang Bo: [phone] (office), 15229316167 (cell)
Gao Liang: [phone] (office), 13572501024 (cell)
Wang Qian: [phone] (office), 15991692581 (cell)
Song Zhoucheng: [phone] (office), 13909212505 (cell)
Liu Le: [phone] (office), 13319182199 (cell)
Yan Wanyong, driver: 13088998138 (cell)

Yanta Police Department, Xi’an
Wang Xinsheng, director: [phone] (office), 13909181001 (cell)
Lu Min, director: [phone] (office), 13809182000 (cell)
Zhang Bin, deputy director: [phone] (office), 13379090000 (cell)
Lu Xixing, deputy director: [phone] (office), 13991265666 (cell)
Huang Lin, deputy director: [phone] (office), 13363979906 (cell)
Wu Baoxi, deputy director: [phone] (office), 13709297076 (cell)
Qiang Xinwei, deputy director: [phone] (office), 13809198555 (cell)
Dong Zhigang, secretary of Discipline Commission: [phone] (office), 13991168999 (cell)

Yanta District Procuratorate
Zhou Jia, chief prosecutor: [phone] ext. 8405, [phone] ext. 8405