(Minghui.org) Falun Gong practitioner Ms. Lu Fenglan of Zhuzhou City was tried in Tiangezhuang Village Court on February 12, 2015. Her lawyer from Beijing argued that she had broken no law and demanded that her immediate release.
In court Ms. Lu explained how practicing Falun Gong improved her physical and spiritual well-being, and how Falun Gong teaches moral values. She stated that she had not violated the law by holding a spiritual belief or by distributing information about the practice.
The defense attorney, Hu Guiyun, refuted the charge against Ms. Lu, which was “impeding law enforcement,” the typical charge the authorities use against Falun Gong practitioners. The Beijing attorney said, “The prosecutor and court document both indicate that my client is not a government employee, and she is not a law enforcement officer, therefore she has no way to impede law enforcement.” He continued: “The prosecutor did not provide evidence to prove that my client violated any law.”
Ms. Lu's lawyer also stated: “Laws restrict people’s conduct, not their thoughts. Criminal laws penalize actions that cause harm, not actions that benefit others. My client’s belief in Falun Gong is her own business, and telling others about Falun Gong’s principles does not cause any negative consequences to society. Therefore the prosecutor’s conclusion does not have any basis.”
“My client practices Falun Gong to improve her body and mind. Her printers and flyers are not weapons, and they do not have any harmful effect on society.”When the judge asked him to provide his opinion on the penalty, Attorney Hu said: “The court should declare my client innocent and release her immediately.”
Zhuozhou City Domestic Security Division head Yang Yugang and his associates had ransacked Ms. Lu’s home on the morning of July 21, 2014. They they then took her to Baoding City for a physical exam and unlawful detention.
This is the third time a lawyer defended Falun Gong practitioners’ innocence in a Zhuozhou court. Chai Qiujin was the judge, court officials Pei Yan and Chen Lei were the jury. The public prosecutor Zhu Qiuan, is from the Zhuozhou Prosecutor’s office. Before the court was adjourned, the judge stated that a sentence would be decided later.
