(Minghui.org) Falun Gong practitioners Ms. Liu Yanhua and Ms. Wu Wenjin were sentenced to 10 years in prison in November 2013 after undergoing two so-called trials. They were sent to the Harbin Women's Prison on March 19, 2014.
Ms. Liu and Ms. Wu, from Yichun City, Heilongjiang Province, were initially arrested on May 17, 2013 for exchanging paper money with truth-clarification messages printed on it. Both were detained at the Yichun Detention Center for 10 months.
The lawyers hired by the two women were interfered with by the court officials and prevented from defending them. In the end, the lawyers left the court room exasperated. After driving the defendants' families and lawyers away, the judges of Yichun District Court twisted the facts, and forcibly sentenced them to 10 years in prison. Ms. Liu and Ms. Wu's lawyers appealed the case to the Intermediate People's Court of Yichun City in December 2013.
Public Security Officers Obstruct Practitioners' Lawyers
Ms. Liu and Ms. Wu's families hired three lawyers from Beijing to defend them on July 30, 2013. Nevertheless, under the manipulation of the 610 Office, public security officers violated legal procedures and repeatedly blocked the lawyers from seeing the defendants. On the afternoon of July 30, court minister Li Yongsheng lied that Ms. Liu and Ms. Wu had refused to hire lawyers in order to block the lawyers from seeing them.
On July 31, public security officers blocked the lawyers from seeing Ms. Liu and Ms. Wu again. After strong protest from the families and their lawyers, the lawyers were finally allowed to meet with their clients. Court Officer Wang Pin was monitoring the conversations between the lawyers and their clients. The lawyers asked Wang to leave. However, guards from the detention center continued to record and monitor the meeting.
In August 2013, Ms. Wu's family hired an additional lawyer named Mr. Zhao to represent her. When attorney Zhao went to the detention center to see Ms. Wu, the guard arrogantly refused to let him in. When Mr. Zhao asked why he acted so unprofessionally, the guard said, “So what? What can you do to me?” Mr. Zhao said he had the right to sue him and put him under supervision if he continued to act so unscrupulously. Finally, the guard let him see Ms. Wu.
Defense Exposes the Prosecution's Legal Violations, First Court Hearing Adjourns
The Yichun District Court held a trial against Ms. Liu Yanhua and Ms. Wu Wenjin on September 10, 2013. During the process of checking the identities of defense litigants, the presiding judge failed to ask for the prosecutor's identification. One of the attorneys representing the practitioners immediately pointed out this violation of legal trial procedures.
Both Ms. Wu and Ms. Liu were handcuffed and shackled while in the courtroom. Attorney Zhao stated that they were not criminals and should not wear instruments of torture. The presiding judge said the detention center had put the handcuffs and shackles on, not them. Mr. Zhao insisted, “But now they are in your court.” The presiding judge called for a recess and ordered one of the court clerks to get the keys from the detention center to unlock the handcuffs and shackles.
During the trial, the lawyers repeatedly pointed out where the court violated the Code of Criminal Procedure, and requested that the presiding judge and prosecutor withdraw the prosecution. His request was dismissed by the presiding judge who said the trial should continue. The lawyer said, “We demand the prosecutor must withdraw. Do you have the power to repudiate this request? Who do you think should have this power?” The presiding judge said the 'Attorney General,' and called for another recess.
At 2 p.m., when the trial resumed, the presiding judge brought the president of the court to the courtroom. The president read a document to the audience, which said, “Based on Article XX of the Criminal Procedure Code, the presiding judge did not break the law, and he shall continue to serve as the presiding judge.” Then, the prosecutor also read a statement from the Attorney General, “The presiding judge did not break the law, and he shall continue to serve as the presiding judge.” Only one of the presiding judges in the court was replaced. The court continued with the illegal trial. Defense Attorney Mr. Zhao stood up and pointed out that the court behavior had seriously violated the Code of Criminal Procedure, including:
1. Because one of the judges in the collegial panel is new to the case, he doesn't understand the content details. He should be given more time to review the case before the trial begins.
2. The court should have delivered the indictment to the lawyers 10 days prior to the trial. But as of the trial date, the lawyers still have not received it.
3. Defendants Ms. Wu Wenjin and Ms. Liu Yanhua should have received the indictment three days before the trial, but they did not receive it until the afternoon before the trial.
The presiding judge had nothing to say, but announced a court recess till October 22.
Court Officials Continue to Abuse Power in Subsequent Trial
Most flights to the city were delayed due to dense fog on the date of the trial, October 22, preventing the lawyers from arriving at the court hearing on time.
The court began the trial without the presence of the defendants' families or lawyers, at 2 p.m., which was earlier than what had been announced. By the time the lawyers arrived at the court, the trial was half over.
During the trial, Ms. Liu refused to cooperate with the court, as her lawyers were not present. She didn't answer any questions asked by the prosecutor Cai Yongxiao. Cai told her that the lawyers wouldn't come. Ms. Liu said, “I don't believe a word you say. My lawyers will come.” As soon as she said that, her lawyers entered the courtroom.
Durning the trial, prosecutor Cai Yongxiao accused Ms. Liu Yanhua of violating Article 300 of the Constitution. Ms. Liu said, “I have no idea what this law is about. Can you recite it to me?” Cai was furious and said, “I can't recite it for you. Ask your lawyer to do it.” Presiding judge Huang Yingling asked Cai to proceed.
The presiding judge and prosecutor repeatedly cut off the defense lawyers and litigants from speaking. When a lawyer pointed out that they had violated the law, Huang threatened to have him removed from the court.
Defense Lawyers Forced to Give Up, Prosecutor Proposes Heavy Sentences
Unable to do their job, the three lawyers angrily gave up. Lawyer Zhao Yonglin said, “This is a just a game you are playing. The entire trial was videotaped. What you have done is recorded. I will sue you, because you are not fair or impartial.” After the lawyers left, they went directly to the intermediate court and the procurator's office to file a complaint.
The so-called trial continued for about half an hour. At last, Cai said: “I propose that the court sentence the defendants to eight or ten years imprisonment.” After that, the trial hastily ended.
The complaint reached the Yichun Intermediate Court in December 2013. He Yong (86-458-3765506) is in charge of the criminal division.
Arrest and Maltreatment in the Yichun Detention Center
On May 17, 2013, about 1 p.m., Ms. Liu Yanhua and Ms. Wu Wenjin were arrested by police officers Su Hongzhi, Shi Dan and Chen Gang at the Hongjiang Market in Yichun District for exchanging paper money that had truth-clarification messages printed on it. They were then taken to the Yichun Detention Center.
Ms. Wu became emaciated as a result of harsh conditions and abuse while detained. She suffered a serious thyroid cyst and couldn't eat anything. Ms. Liu suffered a liver disease after being tortured in the detention center. Despite their poor health, the detention center refused to release them and deprived them of visitors.
After Ms. Wu's mother-in-law heard of the arrest, she fell ill and became bed-ridden. She passed away shortly after that. Her husband also became seriously ill upon learning the bad news. Ms. Wu's daughter had to take care of both her father and grandmother. When Ms. Wu's mother-in-law died, Ms. Wu couldn't come home to see her for the last time. Because of this, her husband resented her and filed for divorce.
Ms. Wu's older brother held a sign in front of Yichun Hospital to protest his sister's imprisonment, and called for help to rescue her on May 31, 2013. Many passersby showed their sympathy.
On July 15, the Yichun Police Department and Attorney General's office submitted Ms. Liu and Ms. Wu's case to the court.
