(Minghui.org) When Mr. Liu Bin was tried for “using a cult organization to undermine law enforcement” this February, his two lawyers defended his innocence and asked for an acquittal.
The lawyers reiterated that it is their client's constitutional right to have freedom of belief and freedom of the press. Therefore, their client's practice of Falun Gong and possession of information about the practice broke no law. Mr. Liu caused no harm to anyone, let alone sabotage law enforcement.
In addition, no law has criminalized Falun Gong, and the persecution of Falun Gong has been illegal from the onset.
One of the attorneys concluded, “Our client has been wronged! An innocent person has been detained for so long. You – the people who work in the police and judicial system – are the ones undermining law enforcement!”
Mr. Liu Assaulted During Arrest
At the trial, Mr. Liu testified to how he was brutalized during his arrest on July 17, 2014. He was working when a group of officers broke into his office and started punching and kicking him. They pushed him down and held him there. They also put a towel in his mouth to prevent him from shouting.
His face became swollen, and his chest was in great pain. He did not feel any better until several days later.
Trial
The trial of Mr. Liu was held at Pingshan District Court in Benxi City, Liaoning Province on February 5, 2015. There were many police cars and vans surrounding the courthouse during the trial.
Before the trial began, Judge Guo Weiwei requested the lawyers to go through a security check, which by law is not required of defense counsel. She relented after the lawyers protested.
She also initially only allowed two of Mr. Liu's family members to go into the courtroom, but gave in after his attorneys pressed for more family attendance.
Guo Weiwei (郭薇薇): +86-18641467348 (Cell), +86-414-42885387
