Ms. Liang Meihua, 62, Defends Herself at Trial Held in Nanchang City, Jiangxi Province

On April 20th, 2010, Falun Gong practitioner Ms. Liang Meihua was tried in Xihu Court, Nanchang City, Jiangxi Province.

On the day of the trial, inside and outside of the courthouse, as well as upstairs and downstairs in the building, there were security lines guarded by police officers and plainclothes policemen, and many police vehicles stood by. Several people stood outside of the courthouse with a camera and filmed Falun Gong practitioners at the scene. They threatened them, saying that they would show the film to the police, who would be able to recognise and then escort local people home.

The trial began at 10:30 a.m., and Ms. Liang Meihua decided to defend herself.

Public prosecutor Deng said that on April 30th, 2009, the Public Security Bureau, Domestic Security Division, 610 Office (an organisation of special agents just for persecuting Falun Gong) and local police station sent out over ten people to ransack Liang Meihua's home. They confiscated a computer, a DVD burner, disks, Falun Gong books and materials, money, and other valuables.

In her defence, Ms. Liang pointed out: "First, on April 30th, you (referring to the police, who arrested her at that time) and over ten people rushed into my home and no one showed any ID. You trespassed on private property without authorisation.

"Second, although you had no credentials, you stole my computer, DVD burner, disks, Falun Gong books and materials exposing the persecution of Falun Gong, money and more.

"Third, I have been held in the detention centre for nearly a year. It is illegal to hold anyone over such a long period of time without trial.

"Fourth, do you have any evidence from a victim? What crime have I committed? You have brought a false charge against me. For me to clarify the truth is being a responsible citizen."

A few minutes later, the public prosecutor read out written records of seven practitioners that had been arrested at the same time. None of the records were signed.

Ms. Liang's husband then called out, "This evidence is useless! It is only valid if it is signed!"

The presiding judge was angry and adjourned the proceedings at noon.

From the visitors' gallery some people shouted, "Just leave the court!" Someone else shouted, "Liang Meihua has not committed any crime! Let Liang Meihua go home!" Liang Meihua was taken away by court officials.

Ms. Liang is now 62 years old. She began to practise Falun Gong in 1996. In 1999, she went to Beijing to appeal for Falun Gong and was arrested and beaten by the police. She was once incarcerated for two years in a forced labour camp and sentenced to five years in prison. She suffered from all kinds of torture while imprisoned at the Jiangxi Province's Women's Forced Labour Camp and Jiangxi Province Women's Jail.

She was just released in July 2008. On the afternoon of April 30th, 2009, while she and seven other practitioners were studying the Falun Gong teachings they were reported. Over ten police officers from the Kuaizixiang Police Station in the Xihu District came and arrested them.

Participants:
Deng Binggen from Xihu Court
Song, Xihu Procuratorate

Chinese version available at http://minghui.ca/mh/articles/2010/4/30/222595.html