(Minghui.org) Ms. Zhou Yafang, a Falun Gong practitioner from Lingyuan City, Liaoning Province, was illegally tried on the morning of June 16, 2015. The proceedings were adjourned after about an hour, but no verdict was handed down.
Ms. Zhou's attorney pleaded not guilty on her behalf in the Lingyuan City Court in Xidayingzi Village, Chaoyang City. He pointed out that all the evidence presented was, according to the law, untenable, and that it was the police officers and the procuratorate that have broken the law and undermined law enforcement.
According to Ms. Zhou’s attorney, the four accusations leveled against her were, in fact, rights China’s Constitution grants its citizens. The following are the accusations and her attorney's rebuttals.
Accusation 1: Distributing informational materials about the persecution of Falun Gong
Attorney: The police did not find any such materials on Ms. Zhou. There is therefore no evidence to show that Ms. Zhou possessed such materials or to whom she distributed them.
Accusation 2: Possessing Falun Gong books and informational materials such as DVDs
Attorney: Ms. Zhou, as a Falun Gong practitioner, reads Falun Gong books every day, so it is necessary for her to possess Falun Gong books and DVDs. Article 36 of China's Constitution grants Chinese citizens the right to freedom of religion.
Accusation 3: Sending group text messages about Falun Gong
Attorney: According to the evidence presented by the prosecutor, my client sent text messages about Falun Gong to just four people and she did not send them at the same time. The description of the evidence was misrepresented to frame my client.
Accusation 4: Calling people to talk about Falun Gong
Attorney: According to the call records for my client’s mobile phone, Ms. Zhou only made 11 phone calls, which is far fewer than the number reported by the police. It was also falsified evidence.
Everyone in the courtroom listened closely to the attorney’s statements. He stated that, according to the Constitution, Chinese citizens enjoy freedom of religion, freedom of speech, and freedom of assembly. He said that the principle of law is that an act is not a crime unless the law says it is one. Therefore, practicing and promoting Falun Gong does not violate any law and Ms. Zhou should immediately be released.
The judge tried to interrupt the attorney’s statements but to no avail. The attorney silenced the judge by saying that he was breaking the law by interrupting him.
Ms. Zhou was arrested by Beilu Town Police Station officers on November 14, 2014. She has been detained in the Chaoyang Detention Center for approximately 6 months.
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