(Minghui.org) Two Bazhong City residents appeared in court on May 15, 2017 to face charges of “using a cult organization to undermine law enforcement,” a standard pretext used by the Chinese communist regime to imprison Falun Gong practitioners.
Ms. He Dongmei and Ms. Luo Jun were arrested on June 24, 2016 and first stood trial on April 28, 2017. As the judge in the first hearing helped the prosecutor attack the defendants, their lawyers requested the judge be recused. The second hearing in May was presided over by a different judge named Pu Shengyuan.
Ms. He’s husband testified in her defense, and Ms. Luo’s two lawyers also entered not guilty plea for her.
Ms. He’s husband argued that no law in China criminalizes Falun Gong or labels it as a “cult,” and that his wife had every right to exercise her constitutional right to freedom of belief. He also pointed out that the confiscated Falun Gong materials were his wife’s lawful possessions, which caused no harm to society, let alone undermine law enforcement.
Ms. Luo’s two lawyers, Mr. Tang Tianhao and Mr. Liang Xiaojun, also emphasized the legality of Falun Gong, a spiritual discipline based on the principle of Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance. They argued that their client should not have been prosecuted for practicing Falun Gong and demanded her acquittal.
Ms. He and Ms. Luo shared how Falun Gong returned them to health and improved their character.
Judge Pu adjourned the session without issuing a verdict.
Ms. Luo Jun and Ms. He Dongmei from Sichuan Province Illegally Tried