Computer Science Professor Prosecuted for Pro Bono Work

Mr. Su Kun, a Falun Gong practitioner and professor at the Yunnan Vocational & Technical College of the National Defence Industry, was tried by the Kunming City Intermediate Court on July 2nd, 2013, for providing pro bono work, which included installing computer software for others. His defence attorney refuted that the evidence presented indicated no crime had been committed, and he showed that Professor Su was simply a good person who was volunteering his time.

When the Chinese Communist regime began the suppression of Falun Gong in July 1999, its state-run media began running hate-filled propaganda featuring falsified witnesses, and did not quote from any of Falun Gong's books unless it was out of context.

The people in China have had no way of learning the truth about Falun Gong, because the regime has destroyed all its publications and blocked all relevant information on the Internet with its firewall.

Professor Su was charged with installing software programs that bypass China's firewall, which enables people to access websites containing factual information about Falun Gong, which is different from the falsified information provided by the state's propaganda.

Article 36 of China's Constitution warrants its citizens the freedom of spiritual belief. Under the protection of Article 36, Mr. Su and the friends he helped are entitled to search for and read information on the Internet about Falun Gong.

Professor Su stated in court, “I was only installing computer software and troubleshooting computer problems for free. I am a professor of computer science, and I was just utilizing my skills.”

“Since I started practising Falun Gong, I have been following its principles of Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance. I have as a result become more recognized and respected at work. While the police were ransacking my home, they found many awards and prizes which I have never shown to anyone, since as practitioners, we seek to selflessly contribute to society without seeking anything in return.” he added.

“I have become a better person because of Falun Gong, and I believe it should be promoted. How can there be evidence against me?”

“While I was incarcerated in the detention centre, even the prison guards asked me to help fix their computers. I would have never helped those who put me in prison if I had not practised Falun Gong.”

“I am not asking everyone to believe in Falun Gong, but the principles of Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance are good values shared by people around the world. If you say that these values are bad and people who believe in them should be condemned to prison, then you are essentially denying humanity.”

Mr. Su's attorney stated that the evidence presented by the prosecutor, Tang Yaqin, did not prove that Mr. Su was guilty. It only proved his good character. There was no physical evidence or witnesses. The charge was based on a statement from the prosecutor, who claimed that Professor Su installed software for others for free.

Professor Su was arrested on December 6th, 2004, for giving his students DVDs which contained important facts about Falun Gong. He was sentenced to three years in a forced labour camp, but his prison term was extended by seven months because he refused to renounce his belief. He was released in July 2008.

Police from Panlong District, Kunming City ransacked his home on May 4th, 2012, and arrested him and his wife.

The judge did not conclude the trial.