(Minghui.org) A Langfang City, Hebei Province resident was sentenced to three years in prison for her faith in Falun Gong, a spiritual discipline that has been persecuted by the Chinese communist regime since 1999.
Ms. Su Yanying, 60, was arrested on September 27, 2019 for talking to people about Falun Gong. The police confiscated her computer, printer, and Falun Gong books. She has since been held in the Langfang Detention Center.
After the police submitted her case to the Anci District Procuratorate, prosecutor Wu Xiaoqin soon indicted her and moved her case to Anci District Court. Judge Zhang Ming was assigned to her case.
Both prosecutor Wu and judge Zhang have actively participated in the persecution, and have sent several local Falun Gong practitioners to prison during the past few years.
Ms. Su appeared in court on December 24, 2019. The court marshals attempted to search her lawyer’s bag, but later relented after the lawyer protested and argued that lawyers are exempt from security checks.
Ms. Su’s husband was initially barred from entering the courthouse, and was told that it was a secret hearing. Although the court marshals did let him go in after the lawyer reasoned with them, three bailiffs stood next to him and didn't allow him to talk during the hearing.
Ms. Su's husband suspected that the court officials didn't want him to speak out for his wife in court, as he had gone to the local police station seeking her release several times and condemned the police for taking part in the persecution.
Ms. Su’s lawyer entered a not guilty plea on her behalf. He refuted the charge against her, which was “Undermining law enforcement with a cult organization,” a standard pretext used to criminalize Falun Gong.
When the prosecutor accused Ms. Su of distributing informational materials about Falun Gong, the lawyer responded that no law has ever criminalized Falun Gong in China, and that his client has freedom of belief and freedom of expression to practice her faith and tell people about it. She caused no harm to any person or to society, let alone undermining law enforcement. He demanded acquittal of Ms. Su.
Ms. Su also testified in her own defense. She denied any wrongdoing and said she was only trying to be a good person in practicing Falun Gong.
The judge sentenced her to a three-year prison term with a 2,000 yuan fine on December 31, 2019. Her husband is preparing to appeal the verdict.
Ms. Su’s 90-year-old mother-in-law is calling for her release. She said Ms. Su has taken very good care of her, including preparing her food, helping her take showers, and washing her soiled pants.
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