(Minghui.org) Five Shuangyashan residents are facing trial for refusing to renounce Falun Gong, a spiritual discipline being persecuted by the Chinese communist regime.

Ms. Zhang Liyan, Ms. Wang Yuzhi, Ms. Guo Hongxia, Ms. Shan Jinli and her son Mr. Wang Dongsheng were among 15 locals arrested in October 2014 for practicing Falun Gong. While 10 of the arrested were released on bail or under other conditions, the five named practitioners remain captive.

Ms. Shan’s husband, Mr. Wang Yafan, worked hard to secure her and their son’s release. The police arrested him in response and did not release him until he developed a heart problem. Mr. Wang died on May 23, 2016.

The other four practitioners’ families also visited relevant departments, only to be given the runaround. Gao Zhixin, president of the Jianshan Court, used various means to prevent the defense lawyers from reviewing case files.

The lawyers filed a complaint against Gao with the court’s supervising agencies, but they have not received a response.

Gao called the lawyers in late September and asked them to visit him in early October to work out a trial date. He also indicated that they would be allowed to review the case documents in preparation for the upcoming trial. The lawyers are unsure why Gao later changed his stance.

Related reports:Husband Dies While Wife and Son Detained for Their Faith in Falun GongFive Practitioners Detained for Seven Months in Shuangyashan City More on Shuangyashan Arrest: Seven Practitioners Remain in Custody; Police Refuse to Return Majority of Confiscated ValuablesMore Than Ten Heilongjiang Practitioners Recently Arrested; Eight Remain Captive