(Minghui.org) Ms. Deng Caijuan, who had already been detained for six months, was tried on April 29, 2014, by the Nanhai District Court in Foshan City. The court charged her with "undermining law enforcement." Her lawyer stated that practicing Falun Gong was legal, and demanded that she be immediately released.
The Nanhai District Courthouse was swarming with police and plainclothes officers by 2:00 p.m. that afternoon. Nanhai Security agents were driving around on motorcycles, carrying clubs. Personnel from the 610 Office and hired thugs monitored the area. In addition, Ms. Deng’s friends and relatives who entered the courtroom were required to register twice with their ID cards, and had to have their personal belongings scanned.
The hearing started at 2:30 p.m. About twelve of Ms. Deng’s relatives and friends sat in the gallery, while 610 Office personnel, police, and plainclothes officers sat nearby and monitored them.
During the hearing, the prosecutor charged Ms. Deng with "undermining law enforcement" by practicing Falun Gong. But Ms. Deng’s lawyer pointed out that, to date, practicing Falun Gong has not been made illegal in China.
The lawyer said, "Practicing Falun Gong is legal. Having a belief is not a crime." The lawyer also refuted each of the charges against Ms. Deng.The prosecutor had no reply when presented with the facts.
Ms. Deng also stated that Falun Gong teaches people to be good. She told how Falun Gong greatly benefited her physically and mentally. She explained how she had become more tolerant and kind after she began practicing. She also pointed out that she was an unarmed ordinary citizen with no way to undermine law enforcement. She asked to be released immediately without being charged.
Faced with Ms. Deng’s reasonable and legitimate defense of her innocence, the judges and prosecutors offered no rebuttal, and decided to announce the final decision at a later date. The entire hearing lasted only 30 minutes.
After they left the courtroom, all of Ms. Deng’s relatives and family members were interrogated by plainclothes police.
Previous Reports:
Ms. Deng Caijuan from Guangdong Province Arrested and Persecuted AgainNowhere to Seek Justice: Ms. Deng Caijuan's Mother Makes Public Appeal for Her Release from Detention
