(Minghui.org) Three Falun Gong practitioners were unlawfully tried in Gongyi City Court in China on March 11, 2014. Two attorneys, who entered not guilty pleas for the practitioners, pointed out that Falun Gong practitioners have sacrificed a great deal to help people understand the truth behind the persecution of Falun Gong. Instead of being charged with a crime, they should be honored for such courageous acts, which are for the good of the people.
Ms. Mu Suxia, Mr. Meng Qingkai, and Ms. Cai Xifeng were arrested because they installed satellite dishes, which are needed to receive the overseas New Tang Dynasty Television (NTDTV) programs that are banned by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP).
Ms. Mu was arrested in August 2013 and Ms. Cai was arrested in October 2013. They have been detained in the Zhengzhou Detention Center. Mr. Meng has been detained in the Gongyi Detention Center for almost eight months.
People Eager to Attend the Trial, Courthouse Heavily Guarded
Prior to the trial, local practitioners had widely spread the news and encouraged people to attend. Many gathered in front of the court after 9:00 a.m. on the day of the trial. The courthouse was heavily guarded by police officers from the Domestic Security Division. Despite negotiations by the attorneys, only two family members of each defendant were allowed to sit in the courtroom. Even Ms. Cai's mother was excluded.
Attorney: "Installing Satellite Dishes Is Legal"
The judge interrupted the two attorneys defending Ms. Mu and Mr. Mang frequently at the beginning of the trial, but later allowed them to present their case.
The attorneys pointed out that being hired to install satellite dishes is legal and not in violation of any national laws.
They further stated that citizens have the right to information and to select any TV station they wish to view. They said, "When citizens have access to multiple channels, they can understand the facts more objectively. They will also improve their ability to distinguish between right and wrong and become more rational."
Attorney: "Falun Gong Practitioners Make Great Sacrifices for the People"
The attorneys commented on practitioners' selfless and courageous efforts to raise awareness. One of the attorneys said: “Millions of Falun Gong practitioners have endured unprecedented brutal torture and repression due to their belief in Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance. Many of them have had their families torn apart. Many of them are now homeless. In the face of this unfairness and brutality, they are peaceful and rational and exercise great restraint. They do not retaliate when beaten or sworn at. They uphold their belief and kindly and peacefully appeal, protest, and clarify the facts about Falun Gong. They tell people who do not understand the facts that Falun Gong is being unfairly slandered and that it is not a cult. They still believe that justice will prevail, despite the hardships practitioners have endured, such as imprisonment, torture, death, or live organ harvesting. They have never responded with violence.”
The attorneys cited many examples of courts in other cities that have tried Falun Gong cases without passing a sentence, by dropping the charges, or by returning a verdict of "not guilty." Results such as these indicate the increased awakening of human conscience.
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Category: Lawyers and Lawsuits
