(Minghui.org) At the trial of two Yuzhou, Henan practitioners on October 16 of this year, their two Beijing lawyers entered not-guilty pleas and defended their right to believe in and spread information about Falun Gong.
Many local residents learned from the lawyers that practicing Falun Gong breaks no law after all.
However, Yuzhou City Court convicted both men on December 8, sentencing Mr. Dang Fuqiang (党富强) to three years and Mr. Zhang Zhende (张振德) to four-and-half years.
When Mr. Zhang questioned the legal grounds for the sentencing, one court official blurted out, “Because your lawyers were too audacious. They even dared to defend you and say you were not guilty! And you're still practicing Falun Gong!”
Both Mr. Dang and Mr. Zhang vowed to appeal their sentences.
Mr. Dang is in his 40s and works at the Yuzhou City Labor Bureau. He was arrested on March 28, 2014 while distributing Shen Yun DVDs about traditional Chinese culture. Mr. Zhang was ambushed that afternoon as he walked out of his home.
