(Minghui.org) An illegal trial of Falun Gong practitioners Mr. Wang Xuanhua and his wife Ms. Li Hui was held on April 18, 2014 in the Xifeng County Court of Liaoning Province. Many unidentified people and police officers stood around outside the courthouse. In addition, officers were sitting in their vehicles, and specialized personnel took photos and videos.
Outside the Xifeng County Courthouse
The couple's two defense attorneys arrived at 10:30 a.m.. During the security check, the bailiffs required the attorneys to remove their watches, but the attorneys refused. They warned the bailiffs, “Demanding that we do this is against the law.” The attorneys entered the courtroom at around 11 a.m., before the trial began. The courtroom was packed. In addition to family members, most were individuals from police, Procuratorate and the court. The two attorneys delivered a not-guilty argument. No verdict was given in court.
The Attorneys Demand the Release of the Innocent Practitioners
The couple was illegally arrested for watching a Shen Yun Performing Arts DVD in their home. The court charged them with “Using an illegal organization to undermine law enforcement.” The defense attorneys pointed out that there was no law that identifies Falun Gong as being illegal, and persecuting Falun Gong violates the constitution.
The court attempted to make an issue about the currency that had “Heavenly Destruction of CCP” written on it.
The attorneys demanded the court release the innocent practitioners after the trial. The court announced a sentencing date instead. The trial which was scheduled for one hour lasted nearly five hours.
Practitioners Forbidden from Sitting in on the Trial
Many practitioners asked to sit in on the trial but were rejected. Some were asked if they practiced Falun Gong. One practitioner asked to speak to the president of the court and wanted to ask him why the public was not allowed to sit in on the trial. That practitioner had to stay at the gate.
Officers from the Dongcheng Police Station that were hiding in their cars now came up and told the practitioner to leave. The practitioner refused to leave and said, “If I leave here I'll go sit in the courtroom.”
The director of the Dongcheng Police Station then approached and asked the practitioner's name and town. The practitioner said, “Before I tell you all that, you first have to tell me the name and phone number of the president of the court, your title and name and whether or not you can help me get into the court.” The director became speechless and went back to his car.
People Quit the Party and Its Affiliated Organizations
Outside the courthouse as people passed by, they discussed the trial, some said it must be a big case by the looks of it. Most people knew what was going on because they read the brochures given out by Falun Gong practitioners, or had received truth-clarification texts on their cell phones. Some of them said, “Not letting people go inside, there must be some dark secrets.”
Practitioners took this opportunity to advise people to quit the Chinese Communist Party and its affiliated organizations. Many people agreed and quit immediately.
