(Minghui.org) Ms. Jia Xiuchun is a translator working for a foreign company in Dalian City, Liaoning Province. She was arrested in October 2016 for refusing to renounce Falun Gong, a spiritual discipline being persecuted by the Chinese communist regime.

Her older sister and brother, who still live in their hometown in Hebei Province, hired a lawyer to defend her constitutional right to freedom of belief.

Ms. Jia appeared in court on April 20, 2018, and both her siblings traveled a long way to Dalian to show their support. Presiding judge Wang Qian of the Kaifa District Court ordered Ms. Jia's brother out of the courtroom when he stood up in the middle of the trial.

Ms. Jia's lawyer entered a not guilty plea for her, because no law in China deems Falun Gong a crime. She also testified in her own defense.

Wang adjourned the session without issuing a verdict, but it was learned recently that he intended to sentence Ms. Jia to two years in prison.

While Ms. Jia awaits her verdict, she wrote a letter to her sister, who has been pregnant for several months, to show her appreciation:

“Dear sister,

I understand how you and the rest of our family feel about my arrest, detention, and trial. But I cannot just admit guilt in exchange for my release. Cultivating in Falun Gong does no harm to myself nor other people in the society. I cannot betray my conscience under pressure.

Falun Gong is innocent. I am innocent.

Thank you for hiring a lawyer to defend my innocence. It is not easy for anyone in such circumstances to stand up for Falun Gong practitioners. No matter the legal outcome, I am deeply moved by and grateful for what you did for me. I also take comfort that you and our brother are taking care of our father. Don't worry about me.

Time flies. Your baby, my nephew (somehow I just feel it's a boy), will soon join us in this world. Take care.”

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