(Minghui.org) Falun Gong practitioner Ms. Chen Fengjun was sentenced to three years in prison and fined 5,000 yuan on April 14, 2016. Her family business, a noodle restaurant, was shut down the next day due to a “health violation.” The authorities refused to provide documentation of the alleged violation.
Her husband suspects the shutdown was in retaliation for his continued efforts to seek his wife's release.
Home Ransacked, Husband and Wife Arrested
Several people dragged Mr. Yi Hui out of the family restaurant on September 16, 2015. When his wife, Ms. Chen Fengjun, showed up, they grabbed her, too. The couple was taken to Fuyuanlu Police Station.
Their home was ransacked that afternoon, and personal items--such as a computer, camera, and 80,000 yuan, which was borrowed to renovate their restaurant--were confiscated. Mr. Yi Hui was released at around 1 a.m.
Tortured in Custody
Ms. Chen was tied to a tiger bench in the police station and not released until 4 p.m. the next day. The director of the police station, Zhou Hongpo, boasted that he was one of the those “vicious persecutors” and that he would not be afraid of having his name on the list of “evildoers” on the Minghui website. Ms. Chen was subjected to a physical exam against her will and detained.
Trial
Ms. Chen's family received a notice from the Chuanshan District Court that she would be tried on March 7, 2016. The night of March 6, they received another notice that the trial date had been moved to March 22. Her lawyer defended her and pleaded “not guilty” on her behalf.
Ms. Chen also defended herself and asked the court, “What crime is a person committing by abiding by the principles of Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance?” Judge Liao Yong had no answer and announced an adjournment.
Her family was notified that April 8 would be the next court date, but, once again, the date was changed the night before--to April 14, 2016. Her lawyer was not present, and judge Liao Yong refused to allow Ms. Chen or her family to speak up. He sentenced her to three years for “disturbing social order.” He also ruled that the cash that had been confiscated would not be returned, plus she had to pay another 5,000 in fines.
Restaurant Shut Down
On April 15, 2016, a dozen people entered the family noodle restaurant. One of them, who claimed that he was the mayor, announced, “Your restaurant is now closed.” When Mr. Yi asked why, the “mayor” replied, “There are health violations. You need to move out immediately!” One police officer wanted to go upstairs to search for Falun Gong materials. Mr. Yi stopped him. “You have no right!” he said.
The mayor continued slandering Falun Gong and threatened Mr. Yi that if he did not move within the allotted time, he would be heavily fined.
Mr. Yi replied, “Since my wife began practicing Falun Gong, I have witnessed so many wonderful things, and I have even benefited from it myself. Before she was arrested this time, I was not aware of just how malicious some officials could be. Now I have experienced it personally.”
Mr. Yi suspects that their restaurant was closed because he refused to give up his efforts to seek his wife's release.
Suining City Police Department Domestic Security Team: +86-13882592560
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