(Minghui.org) A business owner in Chongqing was recently sentenced to eight years for distributing literature exposing the persecution of Falun Gong. The local court had tried him twice within a month late last year.
He vows to appeal his sentence, as there is nothing wrong with practicing Falun Gong and telling others about it.
Mr. Liu Daoquan, 44, is part owner of an automobile parts and accessories company. This well-respected businessman was arrested on April 9, 2013 while passing out materials exposing the persecution of Falun Gong. Li Deming from the Domestic Security Office led a group of agents to ransack Mr. Liu's home after his arrest. One month later, the local procuratorate approved the police's arrest warrant.
Shapingba District Court tried Mr. Liu for the first time on November 6, 2013, but did not issue a verdict.
At the second trial of Mr. Liu on November 15, judges Liu Qi and Xie Chuanjiang did their best to stop the defense lawyers from presenting their case. Public prosecutor Wang Guangming was given every chance to present allegations against Mr. Liu, but the lawyers were frequently interrupted and even threatened when they had the floor. The lawyers warned the judges that they'd file complaints against them for violating legal procedures. Only then were the lawyers allowed to finish their arguments.
The second trial also ended without a verdict. Mr. Liu's family was surprised that he was given an eight-year sentence at the third trial on September 16 of this year. They plan to help him appeal.
