(Clearwisdom.net) Mr. Tian Baowei began to practice Falun Gong in 1998 and benefited both physically and mentally. The night of April 2, 2011, he was reported for distributing Falun Gong brochures and was subsequently detained by police in Haicheng Detention Center. His family was not allowed to visit him. Through inside sources, his family learned on August 14 that he would be illegally tried on August 16, and they asked the court to postpone the trial. They also asked to engage a lawyer to defend Mr. Tian.
During the trial, which was ultimately held on August 26 in Haicheng Court, Mr. Han Guangkuan from Zhengda Law Firm in Beijing defended Mr. Tian. He said that, according to China's constitution, citizens have the right to freedom of belief. Any rulings that contradict the Constitution are illegal. Attorney Han's defense lasted for about half an hour. When he finished speaking, the audience broke out in thunderous applause for his brilliant defense. At the same time, voices from the audience could be heard, commenting, “Falun Dafa is good, Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance is good! It is not a crime to have a belief. Release Tian Baowei immediately!”
Mr. Tian also defended his innocence: “I have been unlawfully detained four times since 1999 for practicing Falun Gong. The police department did not follow legal procedures, hence my arrest is illegal. There is no legal basis for the charges against me. I was arrested this time for giving out Falun Gong brochures and clarifying the facts of the persecution. Falun Gong teaches one to be a good person and those who understand the truth will avoid disaster. The judge can show everyone present the brochures I gave out and let them decide if there is anything wrong with them.”
Ashamed, the judge bent his head so low that the spectators could barely see him. Due to the strong righteous thoughts of practitioners and those who understood the truth, no one interrupted Mr. Tian's defense.
The prosecutor's claims were rebutted by attorney Han, citing the law. Finally the prosecutor meekly asked the judge to sentence Tian Baowei to 4-5 years in prison. Powerless, the judge announced an inconclusive recess.
We will continue to post updates on this case.