(Minghui.org) When Ms. Yi Qunren was unlawfully tried on June 24, 2014 by the Lu County Court, her lawyer made a strong argument in defense of her constitutional right to practice Falun Gong, as well as to produce and distribute informational materials.
During the trial, Ms. Yi testified that officers Deng Jixiang and Zhu Lin interrogated her and ordered her to hand-copy a confession statement. When she refused, Deng threatened her, “I'll go and make life miserable for your ten-year-old son every day so that he cannot attend school. I will destroy that son of yours.”
Ms. Yi, in her fifties, is a villager from Dajiang Village in Lu County. The prosecutor charged her with “producing and disseminating Falun Gong materials.” Ms. Yi's lawyer pointed out that no law or regulation prohibits citizens from practicing Falun Gong. “Practicing Falun Gong is not a crime,” he said.
He continued, “Freedom of speech is guaranteed by the Constitution. Ms. Yi's actions fall under the category of freedom of speech. Therefore producing and disseminating Falun Gong materials is not a crime.”
The judge opted to postpone announcing the verdict to a later date.
Tight Security During the Trial
Only two of Ms. Yi's immediate family members and her lawyer were allowed in the courtroom during the trial. The Lu County Courthouse was swarming with police and plain-clothed officers, including the director of Lu County Police Department.
Many officials from surrounding towns and communities stood outside the courthouse. They kept anyone they knew to be supporters of Falun Gong from entering.
