(Minghui.org) The second trial of Falun Gong practitioner Ms. Zhang Yuzhuo was held in the Chaoyang Intermediate Court, Liaoning Province on June 24, 2014. Ms. Zhang's family hired a lawyer from Beijing to defend her. The lawyer exposed how the court framed the defendant in the first trial, producing no concrete evidence of wrongdoing, instead relying on false witnesses and an unsigned list of confiscated items.
The lawyer also pointed out that Falun Gong is not on the government's list of “evil religions” and that the persecution of Falun Gong is completely unlawful.
The attorney stated in court, “An ordinary lady like Zhang Yuzhuo is treated like a terrorist, sentenced to 10 years in prion and deprived of her civil rights for two years. Ms. Zhang believes in kindness and practices exercises to keep fit. How can she be treated like a murderer, arsonist, or terrorist? Such a sentence is an abuse of the law and a violation of justice and conscience.”
The Chaoyang Procuratorate recommended upholding the original verdict. The judge listened to the lawyer's defense and postponed his decision pending further discussion.
Ms. Zhang Yuzhuo was sentenced to ten years in prison by officials of the Shuangta District Court in April 2014. Her family appealed to a higher level court.
On the morning of the scheduled trial, Ms. Zhang's family and friends gathered outside the court. Police officers in vehicles took video footage of them. Only ten people were allowed to enter the court for the 9 a.m. trial. Ms. Zhang's husband and sister were not allowed to enter.
Four police officers conducted a security check and checked IDs at the entrance. Six or seven more officers inside the door closely monitored family members. One young policeman even intimidated the family. The lawyer was also subjected to an intensive search, including every corner of his briefcase.
The atmosphere in the court was oppressive and intimidating. Of the 30 audience seats, the first two rows were reserved for police officers and plainclothes agents. Family members and friends were surrounded by law enforcement officers. Several minutes after the trial began, a policeman brought in a pile of handcuffs and distributed them to the other officers. The action was clearly intended to intimidate Ms. Zhang's family and friends.
