Practitioners Xu Genyuan, Huang Youjun, and Xue Li were recently sentenced to nine years, five years, and three years in prison, respectively.
Xu and Huang Sentenced to Prison after Their Trial Ends Without a Verdict
Xu and Huang were arrested on June 7th, 2009, and brutally tortured, beaten, and force-fed in detention.
During their trial on October 15th, 2009, prosecutor Li Weixin accused Xu and Huang of "sabotaging the implementation of state laws and executive regulations by utilising an illegal religious organisation." When defence lawyer Zhang Chuanli from Beijing requested the court to specify which law of the Chinese Constitution declared Falun Gong to be illegal, Li, the judge, and National Security Bureau agents in attendance could not respond.
Second defence lawyer Jin Guanghong from Beijing reiterated to the court that Xu and Huang were law-abiding citizens. "The behaviour of practising Falun Gong does not undermine the implementation of law and administrative regulations, public interest, or the interests of others. On the contrary, because of practising Falun Gong, the defendants improved their physical and mental health and raised their moral level. The positive effect of Falun Gong on others also contributes to society. Because of practising Falun Gong, the defendants and other Falun Gong practitioners have become more caring and helpful. Therefore, the defendants' conduct does no harm to society. On the contrary, it benefits the community. Falun Gong practitioners are the most stable elements of society," Jin said.
The defence lawyers requested the court to acquit Xu and Huang, but the judge adjourned the trial without a verdict.
Xu went on a six-day hunger strike to protest against the persecution and was force-fed three times in May 2010. Huang also went on a hunger strike for 17 days. Their families were not allowed to visit them in the detention centre.
On June 2nd, 2010--nine months after their trial--Lou District Court in Yueyang City sentenced Xu to nine years and Huang to five years in prison.
Xue Sentenced to Prison after a Year of Detention
Practitioner Xue Li from Sichuan Province was arrested in March 2009. In March 2010, Lou District Court in Yueyang City sentenced her three years in prison.
Ms. Xue Li's sister along with another practitioner went to Lou District Court to appeal to judge Xu Kaifeng for justice. They talked to him about the injustice of the persecution.
Chinese version available at http://minghui.ca/mh/articles/2010/6/13/225316.html
* * *
You are welcome to print and circulate all articles published on Clearharmony and their content, but please quote the source.
more ...