(Minghui.org) Ms. Zhang Fengxia from Lingyuan City, Liaoning Province was sentenced to four years on November 14, 2016. She appealed the verdict. The second hearing was held at the Xidayingzi Court in Chaoyang City on February 28, 2017. The trial ended without a verdict.
The Trial
During the trial Ms. Zhang's attorney pointed out that there was not sufficient evidence to support the first verdict. Practicing Falun Gong and telling people about the practice is not illegal. Something said by a former Chinese leader cannot be used as a legal basis to persecute Falun Gong, argued the attorney.
He also advised the presiding judge and judges to respect the law. Otherwise, no one would defend them in the future.
Her daughter-in-law defended Ms. Zhang's innocence. She told the court that Ms. Zhang regained her health and became a better person by practicing Falun Gong.
Ms. Zhang and Her Employer Arrested
Ms. Zhang was arrested at home on July 4, 2016 by officers from the Lingyuan Domestic Security Division. Ms. Zhang worked as a waitress at Ms. Li Jing's restaurant. Ms. Li Jing is a Falun Gong practitioner who was arrested in June.
Ms. Li played New Tang Dynasty (NTD) TV programs at her restaurant, and Ms. Zhang told customers how to get the satellite dishes to receive NTD programs in their homes.
Impact on Family
Ms. Zhang's 79-year-old mother-in-law suffered a heart attack after hearing about her daughter-in-law's arrest. Ms. Zhang's family members went to the domestic security division to ask about her, but the officers refused to see them.
When Ms. Zhang’s attorney visited her on September 9, 2016, she appeared very weak and had a severe heart problem. She was in so much discomfort that she could not even lie down. When she was first detained, she was taken to the hospital for her illness and it cost over 2,000 yuan to treat her.
Her family is very concerned.
Benefiting from Practicing Falun Gong
Ms. Zhang started to practice Falun Gong in 1996. Her outlook on life changed and she became gentle and kind. She works hard and never causes trouble for others. Her illnesses like severe bronchitis, asthma and anemia disappeared after she began practicing. She follows the principles of Falun Gong: Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance to be a good person. She always considers others first and is kind to her husband's relatives.
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