(Minghui.org) During a recent makeshift court hearing against Falun Gong practitioner Ms. Wang Xiuyun, the chief judge repeatedly interrupted her attorney's defense. The judge also tried to pressure the attorney to "hand in the defense script and stop the defense," threatening him with a lawsuit from the Beijing Judiciary Bureau.
The Wolong District Court in Nanyang City opened its session against Ms. Wang at 9:30 a.m. on March 18, 2014. The courtroom was set up on the third floor of the Nanyang City Detention Center Hospital. Roughly a dozen family members, friends, and fellow practitioners were present. There were also three officials from Nanyang City Political and Judiciary Committee as spectators in the courtroom.
Ms. Wang pled not guilty to the trumped-up charge, “Using a cult organization to undermine the implementation of the law.” Her attorney, Mr. Xie, pointed out that there are no laws in China that define Falun Gong as a cult. Furthermore, the entire Domestic Security Division arrest process, as well as evidence and verification of evidence, were illegal. There were no informants, no evidence of illegal or harmful activity, and during the arrest the officers didn't produce a search warrant or their police IDs.
Spectators were outraged by the chief judge's repeated interference with the defense. One stood up and protested, "What kind of judge are you? Why don't you let the attorney present his defense?" This spectator was forcibly taken out of courtroom by police officers.
The trial ended after 11:00 a.m. on the same day without a verdict.
Ms. Wang Xiuyun was arrested on June 27, 2013. She has been in prison for nearly eight months.
All content published on this website is copyrighted by Minghui.org. Minghui will produce compilations of its online content regularly and on special occasions.
