(Minghui.org) A resident of Jiamusi City was set to face trial on September 10, 2017 for distributing information about Falun Gong, a spiritual discipline being persecuted by the Chinese communist regime.

Mr. Liu Ziping, in his 50s, quit smoking and drinking and recovered from poor eyesight after he began to practice Falun Gong. He also became more considerate and never hesitated to help those in need. Having had firsthand experience with Falun Gong, Liu never shied away from telling people that Falun Gong is nothing as depicted by the Chinese communist regime.

His simple act landed him in police custody. He was arrested on April 24, 2017 while distributing Falun Gong materials in Hua’nan County. More than 500 local residents signed a petition calling for his release, but Mr. Liu remains at the Hua’nan County Detention Center.

Liu Ziping received his indictment at the detention center on July 28. The court date was set for August 29, but his lawyer unexpectedly quit days before the trial.

Mr. Liu’s family persuaded the local court to postpone the hearing, which was rescheduled for September 10.

One of Mr. Liu’s new lawyers reviewed his case on August 31. The lawyer noted that the indictment stated that Mr. Liu should be given a 3-to-5-year prison sentence. Since no law in China criminalizes Falun Gong, the lawyer filed complaints that same day against Police Chief Gao Liming, who ordered Mr. Liu’s arrest, and Zhang Jinling, deputy director of the Hua’nan County Procuratorate who signed the indictment.

The complaint argued that both Gao and Zhang violated the law by arresting or indicting Mr. Liu without any legal basis.

Related Report:Over 500 Villagers Sign Petition Calling for Mr. Liu Ziping's Release