(Minghui.org) A woman from Yuxi City was sentenced to three years of imprisonment on September 30, 2014, after refusing to plead guilty to her “crime” of spreading information about Falun Gong.
Ms. Yang Suoxian (杨锁仙)'s family was extremely upset by the sentence – they were told by the procuratorate that Ms. Yang would have been released much sooner if she had pleaded guilty to the charges against her.
Ms. Yang had been detained since February 2014 after being illegally arrested and having her home searched without a warrant.
On September 21, 2014, her husband went to inquire with the Domestic Security Division after hearing that his wife was suffering from high blood pressure.
Officer Pan Dong threatened him, “What's the big deal? If she died in prison, the country will bury her for you. If she died at home, you'd have to do it. Your situation now is not the worst; the worst has yet to come!”
Officer Pan started to strike Ms. Yang's husband, but was restrained by his colleague.
Ms. Yang's son, also a Falun Gong practitioner, is wanted by the Domestic Security Division and was forced to leave home and go from place to place. Although he is not home, the family is often harassed and threatened by government officers. Pan said to them, “Just wait and see how I'll deal with him when I catch him!”
Illegal Trial
The trial against Ms. Yang was held on August 14, 2014 at the Yuxi Second Court, after she had been detained for six months.
Before the hearing, Ms. Yang's relatives saw her outside the court room. She had lost a lot of weight and had a much paler complexion. Her appearance, along with word that she was suffering from high blood pressure, were a source of great concern for her family.
Her daughter was extremely sad upon seeing her mother's frail appearance. However, she gave her mother a thumbs-up to encourage her. Ms. Yang responded by nodding her head.
At the hearing, the prosecutor Lin Xin read out the trumped up charges against Ms. Yang.
“She has broken the law on many counts, by speaking of Falun Gong to the An family (Ms. Yang's relatives) and pasting labels containing information about Falun Gong on two poles,” said the prosecutor. “A thousand yuan in cash were found in her house, of which 200 yuan had words on them that told people about Falun Gong and encouraged people to read the Nine Commentaries on the Communist Party. I believe that the remaining cash was also intended for the same purpose. Large amounts of Falun Gong-related books, computers and DVDs were also found in her house.”
Presiding judge Gong Yanlong asked Ms. Yang repeatedly if she was guilty of the charges. He asked if she knew that the items in her possession were against the Chinese Communist Party, and said that she should plead guilty.
Ms. Yang replied that all she wanted was to let people know the truth behind the persecution of Falun Gong. She also hoped that the prosecutor and judge will distinguish right from wrong.
Ms. Yang's lawyer was next asked to defend his client. He said that Ms. Yang had simply gone to visit the An family, and while they were sharing a meal, the conversation had naturally come to the topic of health problems. As a relevant point of conversation, Ms. Yang had told her relatives that her illnesses were cured after practicing Falun Gong.
The lawyer also showed the court a joint statement signed by Ms. Yang's relatives and friends, stating that Ms. Yang is a kind and hardworking person.
Fingerprinted signatures
The defending lawyer was asked by the judge to be brief in his statements. He asked the judge and prosecutor if he was allowed to talk freely and defend his client. Specifically, he asked if he would face negative consequences if he did. He also pointed out that many of the statements recorded by the scribe were not said by his client.
When the court was adjourned, the relatives asked for Ms. Yang to be released so that she could take care of a 84-year-old relative back home.
Ms. Yang's daughter also asked the judge and prosecutor if they knew that the United Nations has passed an “Universal Declaration of Human Rights,” which stipulates that the freedom of religion and beliefs is to be respected. The judge responded that this is China, not some foreign country. When she tried to continue, the judge told her that it was lunch time, and left.
Officers Involved in Ms. Yang's Arrest and Trial
Police Officers: Pan Dong (潘东), Li Zhonghua (李忠华), Lu Xiaoying (陆晓英)Procuratorate Officers: Prosecutor Zhang Honglan (张红兰), Acting prosecutor Lin Xin (林辛)Court Officers: Presiding judge: Gong Yanlong (龚彦龙), Acting judge: Gao Peng (高鹏), People's jury: Hu Jiangli (胡江丽), Clerk: Gong Jun (龚俊)
Officers of the Central Inspection Group from 610 office are also reported to be involved.
