(Minghui.org) Falun Gong practitioners Ms. Zhao Yujing, Ms. Wang Yulan, and Ms. Zhu Yanling were illegally tried on July 21, 2017 by Yushu City Court in Jilin Province. The judge prevented the practitioners from presenting a defense. After a 20-minute trial, each was sentenced to over three years in prison.
The police and court officials entered the court at 5:40 a.m. to avoid public attention. A dozen officers guarded the court gate.
Two police vehicles arrived at the court about 6:15 a.m. with the three practitioners. After the trial, the practitioners were driven away at 6:45 a.m.
During the trial, the judge constantly stopped the practitioners and their family members from speaking. Ms. Zhu Yanling tried several times to state the facts of the arrest, but was stopped by the judge each time. Ms. Zhu's daughter questioned why her mother was not allowed to speak, and was scolded by the court guards. Later, when the judge asked if Ms. Zhu would appeal the verdict, Ms. Zhu's daughter said “yes” and was immediately evicted from the court.
Ms. Zhao Yujing and Ms. Wang Yulan were also prevented from speaking in the court.
Ms. Zhu Yanling Illegally Sentenced
Ms. Zhu was sentenced to three-and-a-half years’ imprisonment. She is preparing to appeal to a higher court.
Ms. Zhu had been constantly harassed and chased by the local police over the past few years. She was arrested by officers from Yushu Domestic Security Division on March 30, 2017, and held at Yushu Detention Center. Her family hired an attorney for her; however, the Yushu City 610 Office and judicial departments prevented the attorney from representing Ms. Zhu. In addition, because she had a lawyer, the police didn't notify Ms. Zhu's family about the trial or the sentencing.
Ms. Zhu and her husband were previously arrested by domestic security officers on September 12, 2012. Her husband was released later, but she was taken to the detention center where she endured many kinds of torture.
Ms. Zhu went on a hunger strike to protest, putting her life in danger. She was sent to the hospital for emergency treatment on December 6 and 7, 2012. Her family and friends eventually bailed her out for medical treatment.
Ms. Zhao Yujing and Ms. Wang Yulan Sentenced and Fined
Ms. Zhao and Ms. Wang were sentenced to three years and three months’ imprisonment and were fined 10,000 yuan each. They are also preparing to appeal.
Ms. Zhao, Ms. Wang and another practitioner, Ms. Li Xiangyun, were reported to the police on January 5, 2017, while giving people information about Falun Gong at Tuyao Village, Xianfeng Town. They were arrested and detained for ten days. Their family members went to the detention center to pick up the practitioners on January 15, but were told the practitioners had been transferred the day before.
The police department submitted the three practitioners’ cases to the Procuratorate a few days later. Their family members asked the police department and the Procuratorate to release the practitioners, but were pushed aside.
Eventually, Ms. Li Xiangyun’s family was able to bail her out on January 25. Ms. Li was harassed again by the police later and had to leave home to prevent further harassment.
The other two practitioners were detained until the trial. According to information provided by officials, the judicial system officials were frustrated about the practitioners’ cases. They knew the women were innocent and should be released, but were afraid they would be blamed by the upper authorities if they let the practitioners go.
The officials asked the upper-level Procuratorate to decide what to do with the women. The upper level Procuratorate and court in Changchun City, Jilin Province then decided to send Ms. Zhao and Ms. Wang to trial.
Related article:Jilin Province: 1 Sentenced to Prison and 3 Tried for Spreading Information about Falun Gong
