Two Hubei Women Stand Trial for Their Faith in Falun Gong

(Minghui.org) Two Wuhan City, Hubei Province residents stood trial on December 13, 2023 for their faith in Falun Gong, a mind-body practice that has been persecuted by the Chinese Communist Party since July 1999. One of their lawyers recently learned that the judge might announce their verdicts before April 16, 2024.

Ms. Xie Yuanxia, 55, and Ms. Yu Huanzhi were arrested at their respective homes on the night of March 4, 2023, after being reported for distributing Falun Gong materials earlier that day. The arresting officers from the Tenglong Police Station seized more than 100,000 yuan in cash from Ms. Xie’s home, and 40,000 yuan in cash from Ms. Yu’s home.

The two women were taken to the Wuhan City First Detention Center after the home raids. After the Huangpi District Procuratorate issued formal arrest warrants against them, the police submitted their cases to the Xinzhou District Procuratorate. Prosecutor Su Bowen indicted them and forwarded the cases to the Xinzhou District Court.

Ms. Xie and Ms. Yuan stood trial on December 13, 2023. Ms. Xie shared how Falun Gong helped her recover from heart disease and kidney stones, and turned her into a better person. She emphasized that she broke no law in exercising her constitutional right to freedom of belief. Her lawyer also entered a not guilt plea for her and demanded her acquittal.

Ms. Yu’s lawyer said the police never returned her confiscated cash and requested her early release due to her poor health.

Ms. Xie’s lawyer visited her at the detention center on March 20, 2024 and said that judge Feng Jilie ([phone]) indicated that he may issue a ruling before April 16.