Mental Torture and Control
The bailiff swears in the witness and the Prosecutor begins his direct examination of Zhao Ming.
Prosecutor: What was your personal situation at the time you were illegally detained by police?
Zhao Ming: I had gone back to China from Ireland where I was doing graduate studies at Trinity College. I was arrested and put in a labor camp. Right before the new year of 2002, I was put in a separate building to isolate me from others. They wouldn't let me sleep, keeping me awake throughout the night or waking me up every few hours. One night, a policeman pushed me into an office. As soon as I went in, I saw that there was a wooden platform on the floor on which was attached a number of straps made from strips of blanket. There were five policemen in the room, including the directors of different departments. I immediately knew what was going on -- they were going to use electric shock torture. They first threatened me in an attempt to, what they call, "reform" me, meaning make me sign statements renouncing my beliefs and denouncing Falun Gong. When I firmly refused, they tied me down on the bed slat. They tied my feet, legs, torso, and arms and used one strap across my mouth to strap down my head. After they tied me down, they again threatened me to try to "reform" me. When I refused again, they brought out a stack of electric batons and started distributing them.
The electric baton is more than 50 cm long. Apart from the two electric prongs on the head, the club also has metal wire twisting all around it. Using this part to issue the electricity, it's possible to inflict an electric shock within a broad area. They used at least six electric batons to shock me all over my body simultaneously.
My body started to jump and shudder. Occasionally they would stop and continue to try to force me to sign my name and accept their so-called "reformation." There was one vicious police guard who seemed to have done this sort of thing a lot. He held a club in each hand, held them parallel against my chest and turned them around in circles, using the metal wrapped around the baton to send out electricity. I felt my upper body was numb and jumping, felt my breathing speeding up, my throat was on fire. My teeth clenched onto the cloth across my mouth and I was taking labored breaths. I could smell my own flesh burning. I don't know how to describe the pain... One of my legs went into spasms. All I know is that it went on for what seemed like endless hours, endless... [At that time, I did something....]
Prosecutor: Mr. Zhao?
Zhao Ming: (pause) I signed a letter renouncing Falun Gong.
(Pause) Later on many Dafa disciples asked me what the most painful thing I experienced inside the labor camp. This was the most painful thing. The wounds and pain left by the torture will slowly heal as time goes by, but the mental and emotional torture can stay with a person for life. Even when they weren't doing anything to me, just being in the labor camp wore me down. I wanted my life back. As soon as I got sent back to Ireland, I threw myself back into reading Dafa books again and clarifying the truth to the public. I knew it was the only thing that was going to save me.
Prosecutor: Are you at present a practitioner of Falun Gong, sir?
Zhao Ming: Yes I am. I have witnessed other Falun Gong practitioners suffering torture and brainwashing in the Chinese forced labor camp. I can tell you that those who gave up the practice did not do so voluntarily but as the result of extensive brainwashing and extreme torture. I benefit physically and mentally from the practice of Falun Gong. My heart of faith towards Falun Dafa has never changed. Nothing I wrote in the labor camp that contradicts my faith in Dafa came sincerely from my heart and I acknowledge none of it. I want the Court to know what they are doing so you will understand that the evil of Jiang's persecution lies in the darkness it feeds into people's hearts. I am honored to be able to stand before this tribunal today, not only to do my part to bring Jiang to justice, but also so that I may be able help others to truly step out from the shadow of the persecution and start my life anew.
Prosecutor: Thank you. I have no further questions.
The Judge addresses the Prosecutor
Judge::- Do you have any further witnesses?
Prosecutor: -- Yes, I will now call the defendant, former Chinese leader Jiang Zemin, to the witness stand.
[Defense Attorney gets into agitated exchange with Jiang. Counsel stands up.]
Counsel for Jiang: Your Honor, my client wishes to exercise his right to remain silent.
Judge: Are you saying he is now refusing to take the witness stand?
Defense Attorney: Yes, your honor.
Judge: Then let it be duly noted that the defendant has refused to take the stand. Will you as his Counsel then be making a closing statement on his behalf?
[Defense Attorney consults with Jiang]
Defense Attorney: Yes, your honor.
Judge: Then please proceed.
Defense Attorney: Your honors, ladies and gentlemen. I know you will all agree that China is a very large nation and that the difficulties that arrive with governing such a huge population are mind-boggling. It is a difficult task and my client attempted to do it the best way he knew how. What may work in the West may not apply in China. I ask you to look at the evidence and realize that by targeting and persecuting Falun Gong, Jiang was actually trying to protect the safety of China's citizens.
Judge: Prosecution, please present your closing remarks.
Prosecutor: Thank you, your honors. Ladies and Gentlemen, Members of the Press. Much evidence has been presented to all of you in this historic case. Bringing a former world leader or head of state to trial is no trivial matter, not least because the kinds of crimes that such a person is capable of are no ordinary crimes. They are of a far reaching, very broad scale. After all, is genocide not just murder on a massive scale? One man may torture another at one time, but someone with power over a nation may order others to inflict torture on many at the same time. A head of state may choose to use his power wisely and benevolently or he may choose to abuse that power. Given the overwhelming evidence that has been presented in this case, it should be clear that Jiang Zemin has abused his power to inflict tremendous harm on Falun Gong practitioners and his people and to waste the precious resources of the PRC. We are confident that Jiang will soon be held accountable for his many sins. Thank you.
Judges: We find the defendant guilty as charged. The testimony of the witnesses over the course of this trial, the affidavits supplied to the court, the documents providing evidence of Falun Gong practitioners directly affected by the persecution by forced participation in brainwashing classes at "re-education" centers, as well as those detained illegally in mental hospitals, police stations, jails, detention centers, hotels, medical hospitals is overwhelming. In addition the Court considers the millions more who were indirectly affected, as family members, friends, co-workers and relatives who live abroad. Families were torn apart, civil society was dismantled, neighborhoods, and places of community turned into war zones for ferreting out Falun Gong practitioners. The Court further considers the ways in which the propaganda apparatus slandered the innocent to justify their persecution. The Court notes the extent of the persecution and the millions upon millions whom it affected. The Court notes the extent of the mental component of the persecution geared to force persons to betray their conscience and to betray their dignity and belief in the principles of truthfulness-compassion-forbearance.
The Court notes further the countless lies Jiang Zemin and his 610 organization created and spread through out China, Asia, Europe and the United States. Because of Jiang Zemin's lies, countless people were led to misunderstand and discriminate against Falun Gong practitioners.
The Court notes further the illegality of the persecution -- that the defendant violated the Constitution of China, that he abused and misused his authority as head of state, that he suborned and abrogated functions of the government by means of threats, the examples of arrest and torture, bribery and slander; that he betrayed the entire government and the Chinese people, the very ones whom in fact he was obligated by law to defend and serve.
There is no question that the defendant is guilty of the most serious crimes of the century. He will be condemned and recalled as a most shameful and sinful figure, for thousands upon thousands of years. It is imperative that history learns important lessons from this case. This trial is not only meant for the people of today. It speaks to a far wider audience -- to all peoples from all times and places. All who hear the evidence will know that the persecution against Falun Gong was not merely misguided, but motivated by the basest of human flaws -- jealousy, greed, fear, self-interest, and antitheism.
And what has allowed the persecution to come to an end is the best of humanity -- honesty, kindness and compassion, and fortitude. The nobility and courage that Falun Gong practitioners have exhibited throughout this persecution will be remembered always. This process has been a testament to their perseverance, their courage, and their ability to withstand what no people should ever have to withstand.
We shall reconvene in two weeks at which time the punishment of the defendant shall be imposed.
All adjourned.
[gavel sounds]
Bailiff: All rise!
The judges leave, followed by the lawyers.
Part I of Script
Part II of Script
Part III of Script
Part IV of Script
Part V of Script
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