(Minghui.org) Two Huaian residents were sentenced and fined for distributing information exposing the Chinese communist regime’s persecution of Falun Gong, a spiritual discipline based on the principle of Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance.

Mr. Liu Yongjun and Mr. Ding Bailing were arrested on December 7, 2014 and tried on May 25, 2016. Mr. Liu was given 3 years in prison and fined 5,000 yuan, while Mr. Ding received 2 years and was fined 3,000 yuan. Both have filed appeals with Huaian Intermediate Court.

Trial

Mr. Ding’s lawyer, Mr. Li, argued that no law in China criminalizes Falun Gong; hence it was his client’s constitutional right to practice and spread information about the spiritual discipline.

The prosecution evidence included informational materials confiscated from the two Falun Gong practitioners. Mr. Li argued that the materials contained nothing illegal and challenged prosecutors Wang Tao and Zhang Xueliang to read them aloud. The prosecutors declined.

Mr. Liu didn’t have a lawyer, but his mother testified for his innocence. She revealed that her son was interrogated with torture, but Judge Chen Xu stopped her from continuing.

Both Mr. Liu and Mr. Ding also argued that they broke no law by telling people about the lies that the Chinese communist regime fabricated to defame Falun Gong.

Judge Chen adjourned the hearing without issuing a verdict. Months later he gave both practitioners prison sentences.

Mr. Liu and Mr. Ding, an employee of Huaian TV Station, are awaiting prison transfer at Hongze County Detention Center.

Prior to his latest sentence, Mr. Liu was given 1.5 years of forced labor in 2004 and was fired from his job. His wife left home, leaving their son with his parents. The elderly couple is struggling to make ends meet.